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,Hl6TOR,IOAL. §K,ETCHE5, 
e&PROGRAM^\eJ' 



er THE WORLD 



^,<^i«r"»****^^ 




BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST 



CONGRESS OF ROUGH RIDERS OP THE WORLD 




COL. W. F. CODY. 
CHlOflOO, ILL. 1893. 



STAFF OF "BUFFALO BILL'S" WILD WEST COMPANY. 

99y^y(: ''jL-^PPY ("Buffalo Bill"), President. NATE SALSBURY, Vice-President and Manager. 
- - General Manager 

Business Representative § L. J. Loring . - - . . . Orator 

- Advertising Agent § Lew Parker - ... Contracting Agen: 



JOHN M. BURKE 
Albert E. Sheible 
CARtER Couturier 
JuLt Keen 



Wild west scenery by 



Treasurer § William Langan 



'"A^g 



T*-! B'j*«Si7 Pf ■frre STxr&XT- Sx 




^^\^'ar***i5'iSrTt 




BUFFALO BILL'S 

Wild West 




flND^H • NATE SALSBUftt, 

CONGRESS OF ROUGH RIDERS OF THE WORLD. 



Programme ® ^^(S^ 



OVERTURE, "Star Spangled Banner" - - Cowboy Band, Wm. Sweeny, Leader 

I— GRAND REVIEW introducing the Rough Riders of the World and Fully Equipped Regular 

Soldiers of the Armies of America, England, France, Germany,, and Russia. 
2 -MISS ANNIE OAKLEY, Celebrated Shot, who will illustrate her dexterity in the use of Fire-arms. 
3— HORSE RACE between a Cowboy, a Cossack, a Mexican, an Arab, and an Indian, on Spanish- 
Mexican, Broncho, Russian, Indian and Arabian Horses. 
4— PONY EXPRESS. The Former Pony Post Rider will show how the Letters and Telegrams of 
the Republic were distributed across the immense Continent previous to the Railways 
and the Telegraph. ^ 

5-ILLlJSTRATINQ A PRAIRIE EMIGRANT TRAIN CROSSING THE PLAINS. Attack by maraud- 
ing Indians repulsed by "Buffalo Bill,"' with Scouts and Cowboys. 
N. B. — Th • Wagons are the same a^ used 35 j-ears ago. 
6— A GROUP OF SYRIAN AND ARABIAN HORSEMEN will illustrate their style of. Horseman- 
ship, with Native Sports and Pastimes. 
7— COSSACKS, of the Caucasus of Russia, in Feats of Horsemanship, Native Dances, etc. 
8-JOHNNY BAKER, Celebrated Young American Marksman. 
9- A GROUP OF HEXICANS from Old Mexico, will illustrate the use of the Lasso, and perform 

various Feats of Horsemanship, 
lO-RACINQ BETWEEN PRAIRIE, SPANISH AND INDIAN GIRLS. 

II— COWBOY FUN. Picking Objects from the Ground, Lassoing Wild Horses, Riding the Bucker^. 
12— niLITARY EVOLUTIONS by a Company of the Sixth Cavalry of the United States Army; a Com- 
pany of the First Guard Uhlan Regiment of His Majesty King William II, German Emperor, 
popularly known as the "Potsdamer Reds"; a Company of French Chasseurs (Chas.^eurs a 
Cheval de la Garde Republique Francaise); and a Company of the 12th Lancers (Prince of 
Wales' Regiment) of the British Army. -3J 

13— CAPTURE OF THE DEAD\\'OOD MAIL COACH BY THE INDIANS, which will be rescued by 
"Buffalo Bill" and his attendant Cowboys. 

N. B — This is the identical old Deadwood Coach, called the Mail Coach, which is famous on account of 
having carried the great number of peop e who lost their hVes on the road b tween Deadwood and 
Cheyenne 18 \ ears ago. Now the most famed vehicle extant. 
14-RACiNG BETWEEN INDIAN BOYS ON BAREBACK HORSES. 
15 -LIFE CUSTOnS OF THE INDIANS. Indian Settlement on the Field and "Path." 
i6 COL. W. F. CODY, ("Buffalo Bill"), in his Unique Feats of Sharpshooting. 
17— BUFFALO HUNT, as it is in the Far West of North America— "Buffalo Bill" and Indians. The 

last of the only known Native Herd. 
18 -THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN, Showing with Historical Accuracy the scefle of 

CUSTER'S LAST CHARGE. 
il>-SALUTE. CONCLUSION. 



mm^ 




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,.,:l--' 



SALUTATORY, 



There is probably no field in modern American history more fascinating in the intensity 
of its interest than that which is presented in our rapidly-extending frontier. The pressure of 
the white man, the movement of the emigrant train, and the extension of our railways, together 
with the military power of the General Government, have, in a measure, broken down the bar- 
riers behind which the Indian fought and defied the advance of civilization ; but the West, in 
many places, is still a scene of wildness, where the sternness of law is upheld at the pistol point, 
and the white savage and outlaw has become scarcely less dangerous than his red-skinned pre- 
tlecessor. {^TJiis last, while perfectly true when ivritten (1883), is at present inapplicable, so fast does 
law and order progress and pervade the Grand West. 

The story of our country, so far as it concerns life in the vast Rocky Mountain region and 
on the plains, has never been half told ; and romance itself falls far short of the reality when it 
attempts to depict the career of the little vanguard of pioneers, trappers, and scouts, who, mov- 
ing always in front, have paved the way — frequently with their own bodici — for the safe approach 
of the masses behind. The names of "Old Jim Bridger," "Kit Carson," "White Beaver," 
"Wild liiEL," "California Joe," "Buffalo White," "Texas Jack," "Buffalo Bin,," Major 
North, and scores of others, have already become identified with what seem to be strange 
legends and traditions, and yet the lives and labors of these men form apart of the development 
of the great West. Most of them have died fighting bravely, and all of them, in their way, have 
been men around whose exploits contemporaneous writers in and out of the army have thrown 
the halo of heroism. Our most distinguished officers have repeatedly borne tribute to their 
usefulness and valor, and to-day the adventures of the Army Scout constitute a theme of never- 
ending interest. Keen of eye, sturdy in build, inured to hardship, experienced in the knowledge 
of Indian habits and language, familiar with the hunt, and trustworthy in the hour of extremest 
danger, they belong to a class that is rapidly disappearing from our country. 

In the Eastern States, or even east of the Mississippi, the methods of these people are 
comparatively unknown, and it is for the purpose of introducing them to the public that this 
little pamphlet has been prepared. Hon. William F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), in conjunction 
with Mk. Nate Salsburv, the eminent American actor (a ranch owner), has organized a large 
combination that, in its several aspects, will illustrate life as it is witnessed on the plains; the 
Indian encaiiipment; the cowboys and vaqueros; the herds of buffalo and elk; the lassoing of 
animals; the manner of robbing mail coaches; feats of agility, horsemanship, marksmanship, 
archery, and the kindred scenes and events that are characteristic of the liorder. The most 
completely appointed delegation of frontiersmen and Indians that ever visited the East will take 
part in the entertainment, together with a large number of animals; and the performance, while 
in no wise partaking of the nature of a "circus," will be at once new, startling, and instructive. 

JOHN M. BURKE, 
NoRiH Pi. ATTE, Neb., May i, 1883. General Manager. 



The exhibitions given by "Buffalo Bill's" Wild West have nothing in common with the 
usual professional exhibitions. Their merits are dependent on training of a natural kind. 

Our aim is to make the public acquainted with the manners and customs of the daily life 
of the dwellers in the far West of the United States, through the means of actual and realistic 
scenes from life. At each performance marked skill and daring are presented. Not only from 
the standpoint of tlui spectator, but also from a critical point of view, we assure the auditor that 
each scene presents a faithful picture of the habits of these folk, down to the smallest detail. 

All the horses are descendants of those brought to America by the Spaniards, under 
Ferdinand Cortez. The whole material of harness, etc., is genuine, and has already been 
seasoned by many years' experienced use in their original wilds. We congratulate ourselves as 
being the first to successfully unite in an entertainment all their historic peculiarities. 

After having earned the applause of the public and the flattering opinion of the press of 
the world, New York, London, Paris, Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Munich, Dresden, 
I.eipsic, Berlin, Liverpool, Cardif, Hamburg, Glasgow, Bremen, Brussels, etc., we have the 
honor to place ourselves oiice more at the service of the American public, presenting in conjunc- 
tion with the original Wild West features, a congress of the Rough Riders of the World. This 
assemblage of primitive horsemen meet for the first time in history — from far distant countries — 
differing in race, language, habits, customs, dress, as well as in skill, style and methods of 
horsemanship, forming the most unique congregation cf eqjuestrians since the creation. 

NATE SALSBURY, Vice-President and Manager. 



JIOS. Vv'\ F. CODY— ("Buffalo iiiLL'"'), 
Was born in Scott County, Iowa, from whence his father, Isaac Cody, emigrated a few years 
afterward to the distant frontier territory of Kansas, settling near Fort Leavenworth. While 
still a boy his father was killed in what is now known as the " Border War, 
passed amid all the excitements and turmoil incident to the strife and 



and his youth was 
discord of that unsettled 



community, where the embers of political contentions smoldered until they burst into the burning 
flame of civil war. This state of affairs among the white occupants of the territory, and the 
mgrained ferocity and hostility to encroachment from the native savage, created an atmosphere 
of adventure well calculated to educate one of his natural temperament to a familiarity with danger, 
and self-reliance in the protective means for its avoidance. 

From a child used to shooting and riding, he at ati early age became a celebrated poay- 
express rider, then the most dangerous occupation on the plains'. He was known as a boy to be 
most fearless and ready for any mission of danger, and respected by such men then engaged in 
the express service as Old Jule and the terrible Slade, whose correct finale is truthfully told in 
Mark Twain's "Roughing It." He accompanied General Albert Sidney Johnston on his Utah 
expedition, gu.ded^^trains overland, hunted for a living, and gained his sobriquet by wresting the 

men have been innum- 



laurels as a buffalo 
hunter from all claim- 
ants — notably Corn- 
stock, in a contest with 
whom he killed sixty- 
nine buffalo in one day 
to Comstock's forty-six 
— became scout and 
guide for the now cele- 
brated Fifth Cavalry 
(of which General E.A. 
Carr was Major), and 
is thoroughly identified 
with that regiment's 
Western history; v/as 
chosen by the Kansas 
Pacific Railroad to 
supply meat to the 
laborers while building 
the road, in one season 
killing 4,862 buffaloes, 
besides deer and ante- 
lope; and was chief of 
scouts in the depart- 
ment that protected 
the 'building of the 
Union Pacific. In these 
various duties his en- 
counters with the red 




erable, and are well 
authenticated by army 
officers in every sec- 
tion of the country. In 
fact, wherever you 
meet an army officer, 
there you meet an ad- 
mirer and indorser of 
Buffalo Bill. He is, in 
fact,the representative 
man of the frontiers- 
men of the past — that 
is, not the bar-room 
brawler or bully of the 
settlements, but a gen- 
uine specimen of West- 
ern manhood — a child 
of the plains, who was 
raised there, and fa- 
miliar with the country 
previous to railroads, 
and when it was known 
on our maps as the 
''Great American Des- 
ert." By the accident 
of birth and early as- 
sociation, a man who 
became sensibly in- 



nured to the hardships and dangers of primitive existence, and possessed of those qualities that 
afterward enabled him to hold positions of trust, and, without his knowing or intending it, made 
him nationally famous. 

(ien. Richard Irving Dodge, Gen. Sherman's chief of staff, correctly states in his "Thirty 
^ ears Among Our Wild Indians": "The success of every expedition against Indians depends, to 
a degree, on the skill, fidelity, and intelligence of the men employed as scouts, for not only is the 
command habitually dependent on them for good routes and comfortable camps, but the oflicer 
in command must rely on them almost entirely for their knowledge of the position and move- 
ments of the enemy." 

Therefore, besides mere personal bravery, a scout must possess the moral qualities 
associated with a good captain of a sliip — full of self-reliance in his own al)ility to meet and over- 
come any unlooked-for difficulties, be a thorough. student of nature, a self-taught weather-prophet, 
a geologist by experience, an astronomer by necessity, a iiatui\dist, and thoroughlv educated in 
the wartare, stratagems, trickery, ami ski 
txped!tif)ns or leading troops, .m Inin nl 



of his imolacable Indian foe. Because, in handl 

le dejiench correctness of destiiiatinn, avoidance 



6 

danger'; protection against sudden storms, the finding of game, grass, svood, and water, the lack 
of whick of course, is more fatjl than the deadly bullet. In fact, more lives have been lost on 
the plains from incompetent guides than ever the Sioux or Pawnees destroyed. 

Our best Indian-fighting officers are quick to recognize these traits in those claiming frontier 
lore, and to no one in the military history of the West has such deference been shown by them as 
to W F. Cody, as is witnessed by the continuous years of service he has passed, the different 
commands he' has served, the expeditions and campaigns he has been identified with, his repeated 
holding when he desired, the position of " Chief of Scouts of United States Army," and the 
intimate associations and contact resulting from it with Gen. W. T. Sherman (with whom he was 
at the making of the Comanche and Kiowa Treaty), Gen. Phil. Sheridan (who has olten given 
him special recognition and chosen him to organize expeditions, notably that of the Duke Alexis), 
did Gen. Harney, Gens. W. S. Hancock, Crook, Pope, Miles, Ord, Augur, Terry, McKenzic, 
Can-, Forsythe, Merritt, Brisbin, Emory, Gibbon, Royal, Hazen, Duncan, Palmer, Pembroke, 
and the late lamented Gen. Custer. His history, in fact, would be almost a history of the middle 
West, and, though younger, equaling in term of service and in personal adventure Kit Carson, 
old jim Bridger, California Joe, Wild Bill, and the rest of his dead-and-gone associates. 

As another evidence "of the confidence placed in his frontiersmanship, it may suffice to 
mention the celebrities whose money and position most naturally sought the best protection the 
Western market could afford, and who chose to place their lives in his keeping: Sir George Gore, 
Earl Dunraven, James Gordon Bennett, Duke Alexis, Gen. Custer, Lawrence Jerome, Remington, 
Professor Ward of Rochester, Professor Marsh of Yale College, Major J. G. Hecksher, Dr. Kings- 
ley (Canon Kingsley's brother), and others of equal rank and distinction. All books of the plains, 
his exploits with Carr, Miles, and Crook, published in the New York Herald and Times in the 
summer of 1876, when he killed Yellow Hand in front of the military command in an open- 
handed fight, are recorded references. 

The following letter of his old commander and celebrated Indian-fighter, Gen. E. A. Carr, 
written years ago relative to him, is a tribute as generous as any brave man has ever made to one 
of his position: 

"From his services with my command, steadily In the field, I am qualified to bear testi- 
mony as to his qualities and character. 

" He was very modest and unassuming. He is a natural gentleman in his manners as well 
as in character, and has none of the roughness of the typical frontiersman. He can take his own 
part when required, but I have never heard of his using a knife or a pistol, or engaging in a 
quarrel where it could be avoided. His personal strength and activity are very great, and his 
temper and disposition are so good that no one has reason to quarrel with him. 

"His eyesight is better than a good field-glass; he is the best tuailer I ever heard of, and 
also the best judge of the 'lay of country' — that is, he is able to tell what kind of country is 
ahead, so as to know how to act. He is a perfect judge of distance, and always ready to tell 
correctly how many miles it is to water, or to any place, or how many miles have been marched. 
"Mr. Cody seemed never to tire and was always ready to go, in the darkest night, or the 
worst weather, and usually volunteered, knowing what the emergency required. His trailing, when 
following Indians, or looking for stray animals or for game, is simply wonderful. He is a most 
extraordinary hunter. 

"In a fight Mr. Codv is never noisy, obstreperous or excited. In fact, I never hardly 
noticed him in a fight, unless I happened to want him, or he had something to report, when he 
v\-as always in the right place, and his information was always valuable and reliable. 

" During the winter of 1866 w^e encountered hardships and exposure in terrific snowstorms, 
sjeet, etc., etc. On one occasion that winter Mr. Cody showed his quality by quietly offering to 
go with some dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, across a dangerous region, where another principal 
scout was reluctant to risk himself. 

"Mr. Cody has since served with me as post guide ami scout at Fort McPhersoii, where 
he frequently distinguished himself. * * =^ 

" In the summer of 1876 Cody went with me to the Black Hills region, where he killed 
Yellow Hand, Afterward he was with the Big Horn and Yellowstone expedition. I consider 
that his services to the country and the army by trailing, finding and fighting Indians, and thus 
protecting the frontier settlers, and by guiding commands over the best and most practicable 
routes, have been invaluable." 

Thus it will be seen that, notwithstanding it may sometimes be thought his fame rests upon 



the pen of the romancer and novelist, had they never been attracted to h!m (and they were solely 
by his sterling worth), W. F. Cody would none the less have been a character in American history. 
Having assisted in founding substantial peace in Nebraska, where he was honored by being elected 
to the legislature (while away on a hunt), he has settled at North Platte, to enjoy the fruits and 
minister to the wants and advancements of the domestic circle with which he is blessed. On the 
return to civil life of his old prairie friend, Major North, in rehearsing the old time years agone on 
the Platte, the Republican, and the Medicine, they concluded to reproduce some of the interesting 
scenes on the plains and in the Wild West. 

The history of such a man, attractive as it already has been to the most distinguished 
officers and fighters in the United States Army, must prove doubly so to the men, women, and 
children who have heretofore found only in the novel the hero of rare exploits, on which imagi- 
nation so loves to dwell. Young, sturdy, a remarkable specimen of manly beauty, with the brain 
to conceive and the nerve to execute, Buffalo Bill par excellence is the exemplar of the strong and 
unique traits that characterize a true American frojitiersman. 

ACROSS THE CONTINENT WITH THE FIFTH CAVALRY. 

Captain George F. Price's history of this famous regiment recounts its experience from the 
time it was known as the Second Dragoons to the present, giving the historical record of- its 
officers, among whom are numbered many of the most distinguished military leaders known in 
our national annals', such as Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston, Gen. George H. Thomas, Gen. Robert 
E. Lee, Gen. John Sedgwick, Gens. Hardee, Emory, Van Dorn, Merritt, Carr, Royall, Custer, 
and others of equal note. Besides alluding in many of its pages to incidents, adventures, and 
conduct of the favorite guide and scout of the regiment, W. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), Captain 
Price completes a narrative of brave men and daring deeds by "flood and field" with the following 
biographical sketch (page 583) of W. F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill." 

W. F. CODY— ("Buffalo Bill."). 

"William F. Cody was born in Scott County, Iowa. He removed at an early age to 
Kansas, and was employed as a herder, wagonmaster, and pony express rider. He went to Pike's 
Peak during the excitement which followed the discovery of gold in Colorado, but failing of success, 
returned to Kansas and became a trapper on the Republican River, In the fall of 186 1 he was a 
Government scout and guide at Fort Earned, Kan., and in 1862 served as a scout and guide for 
the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, being chiefly employed in Arkansas and Southwestern Missouri. 
In 1863 he enlisted in the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and served in Tennessee, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Kansas, and participated in several battles. He was made a non-commissioned 
officer, and served as a scout for his regiment after the battle of Tupelo. He was honorably 
discharged at the end of the war, and engaged in various business pursuits until the spring of 
1867, when he made a contract, for a monthly compensation of five hundred dollars, to deliver all 
the buffalo meat that would be needed for food purposes for a number of laborers on the Kansas 
Pacific Railway in Western Kansas, and during this engagement — a period of less than eighteen 
months — he killed four thousand two hundred and eighty buffaloes. This remarkable success 
gained for him the name of * Buffalo Bill.' When hunting buft'alo, Cody would ride his horse, when- 
ever possible, to the right front of a herd, shoot down the leaders, and crowd their followers to the left 
until they began to run in a circle, when he would soon kill all that he required, Cody again entered 
the Government service in 1868 as a scout and guide, and, after a series of dangerous rides as 
bearer of important dispatches through a country which was infested with hostile Indians, was 
appointed by General Sheridan chief scout and guide for the Fifth Cavalry, which had been recently 
ordered from reconstruction duty in the Southern States for a campaign against the hostile Sioux 
and Cheyennes. He joined a detachment of the regiment at Fort Hays, Kansas, and was engaged, 
auring the fall of 1868, in the combats on Beaver and Shuter Creeks and north branch of Solomon 
P-iver. He then served with the Canadian River expedition during the winter of 1868-69, and 
became deservedly conspicuous for cheerful service under dispiriting circumstances, and the suc- 
cessful discharge of important duties. He marched with a battalion of the regiment across the 
couriU'/ from Fort Lyon, Colo., to Fort McPherson, Neb., during May, 1869, and was engaged en 
route in the combat at Beaver Creek, Kan., where he rendered an important and brilliant service 
by carrying dispatches from a detached party to the cavalry camp after a soldier courier had been 
driven back by the Indians; and again at Spring Creek, Neb., three days latter, where, when the 
advance guard under Lieutenant Babcock was surrounded by a large force of the enemy, he was 
distinguished for coolness and bravery. 



'"Cod)' was ap- 
• Hiintccl cliicf scout 
and guide for ihe 
Ivepublican River 
expedition of 1^69, 
;ind was conspi<-ii- 
ous during ti.e 
pursuit of the Dog 
Soldiers, under tlie 
celebrated Chevenne 
chief, Tall Bull, to 
Summit Springs, 
Colo. He also 
guided the Fifth 
Cavalry to a position 
whence the Regi- 
ment was enabled to 
charge upon the 
enemy, and win a 
brilliant victory. He 
afterward partici- 
p-ned in the Nio- 
b ^..d pursuit, and 
Liter narrowly es- 
caped death at the 
hands of hostile 
Sioux on Prairie 
Dog Creek, Kan., 
September 26, 1869. 
He was assigned to 
Fort McPherson 
when the expedition 
was disbanded, and 

'Honorable. But, accepting the advice of Eastern friends, he resigned his seat in the Legislature 
and also his position of scout and guide at Fort McPherson, and proceeded to Chicago, 
where he made his first appearance as an actor in a drama entitled 'The Scouts of the Plains,' 
winning an instant success 

"At the beginning of the Sioux Wat in 1876, he hastened to Cheyenne, Wyo., joined the 
Fifth Cavalry, which has recently returned frbr)i Arizona, and was engaged in the affair at War 
Bonnet (Indian Creek), Wyo., where he killed in a hand-to-hand combat the Cheyenne Chief, 
Yellow Hand. He then accompanied the Fifth Cavalry to Goose Creek, Mont., and served with 
the Big Horn and Yellowstone expedition until September, when business engagements compelled 
him to return to the Eastern States. Cody abundantly proved during this campaign that he had 
lost none of his old-time skill and daring in Indian warfare. He enjoys a brilliant reputation as a 
scout and guide, which has been fairly earned by faithful and conspicuous service. 

"He is modest and unassuming, and free from the common faults of the typical frontiersman. 
His present lucrative business has made him widely known throughout the country. He has 
valuable property interests at North Platte, Neb., and is owner of an extensive cattle ranch on 
Dismal River, 65 miles north of North Platte, having for a partner in the business Major Frank 
North, who is well-known as the whilom commander of the celebrated Pawnee scouts. 

"William F. Cody is one of the best scouts and guides ihat ever rode at the head of a column 
ot '^a^alry on the prairies of the Far West. His army friends, from general to private, hope that 
he may live long and prosper abundantly, 

"Should the wild Sioux again go on the war-path, Cody, if living, will be found with the cavalry 
advance, riding another 'Buckskin Joe,' and carrying his Springfield rifle, ' Lucretia,' across the 
porrmel of his saddle." 

FROM COL. dodge's "THIRTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS."— /'rt.if^? 628. 

"Of ten men employed as scouts nine will prove to be worthless; of fifty so employed one 
may prove to be really valuable, but, though hundreds, e\en thousands of men have been so 
employed bv the Ciovenuneii': since the war, the number uf really remarkable men among them can 




I'.ILT, CODY — " HUFFALO BILL, THE SCOUT. 



served at that station 
(was a Justice of the 
Peace in 1871) until 
the Fifth Cavalry 
was transferred to 
Arizona. He served 
during this period 
with several expedi- 
tions, and was con- 
spicuous for gallant 
conduct in the 
Indian combat at 
Red Willow and 
Bird wood Creeks, 
and also for success- 
ful services as chief 
scout and guide of 
the buffalo hunt 
which was arranged 
by General Sheridan 
for the Grand Duke 
Alexis of Russia. 

Cody was then 
assigned to d u t y 
with the Third Cav- 
alry, and served with 
that regiment until 
the fall of 1872, when 
he was elected a 
member of the Ne- 
braska Legislature, 
and thus acquir- 
ed the title of 



be counted on the fingers. The services which these men are caiied on to perform are so impurtani 
and valuable t\at the officer v/ho benefits by them is sure to give the fullest credit, and men 
honored in official reports come to be great men on the frontier. Fremont's reports made Kit 
Carson a renowned man. Custer immortalized California Joe. Custer. Alerritt. and CaPl* made 
William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) a plains celebrity 'UNTIL TIME SHALL BE NO MORE.'*' 

A Legislator. — The late Phocian Howard /)urnalistically ret-.ords the f ct; — "We were 
present in the Nebraska Legislature when Mr. Cody's resignation was read, and knowing his 
practical qualities, his thorough knowledge of imporrant questions then demanding attention in 
border legislation, his acquaintance with the Indian problem — the savage's deadly foe in battle, 
their generous friend in peace — great was our disappoh:tment m his refusing to continue in 
political life, choosing to be, what he really is, a true 'Knight of the Plams." On tiie frontier, 
even there his name a household word, deservedly is the famous scout popular throughout the 
land, standing, as he has, a leader among the manly pioneer barriers between civilization and 
savagery, risking all, that the 'Star of Empire might force its westward way.' We know Bill 
Cody well, having been with him in three campaigns among the Indians, the last being the 
memorable Custer -ampaign under Crook, on the Big Horn, against the Sitting Bull Sioux, and 
we bear kind witne^i that Buffalo Bill is the idol of the army and frontiersmen, and the dread 
and terror of the war-bonneted Indian. At the last session of the Nebraska Lf^ofislPture he 
received a large complimentary vote for United Stales Senator." 

A Pen Picture — Curtis Gurc. proprietor and editor of the Conser /Htive Commercial 
Bulletin^ Boston, 'vrites — "Raised on tiie frontier, he has passed through every grade, and won 
fame in each lin-j, while to be proficient m one brings celebrity sufficient to gratify most ambitions. 
Thus it is he holds supremacy in fact, and receives from his associates an adoration surpassing 
even his public popularity. Visitors to the camp, early the other morning, found him joining in 
every frolic, game, and contest, with each and all, and generally excelling; in shooting, in running, 
in jumping, in trials of strength, feats of agility, horsemanship, handling the ribbons behind four 
or six, riding the vicious mustang, manipulating the revolver, etc., tackling c;":h specialist, and 
coming to the front with a generjus modesty admired by the defeated. 

"No lover of the human race, no man with an eye for the picturescjuc, Inu must have enjoyed 
the very sight of these pioneers of civilization. Never was a finer picti're of .Ain-rican manhood 
presented than when Buffalo Bill stepped out to show the capabilities, of the Western teamster's 
whip. Tall beyond the lot of ordinary mortals, slraight as an arrow, noi an ounce of useless 
flesh upon his limbs, but every muscle firm and hard as the sinews of a siai;. with the frank, 
kindly eye of a devoted friend, and a natural courtly grace of manner \\li;c!; would become? 
marshal of France, Buffalo Bill is from spur to sombrero one of the finesi lypc^ ol manhood this 
continent has ever produced. Those who had expected to meet a different class ol men must have 
been pleasantly surprised in these genuine sons of the plain' =very one of whom wis stamped with 
the natural easy grace and courtesy of manner whiir.h mari.: the man who is born a gentleman." 

As AN Educator. — The nationally known Brick Poim rc)v thus writes: — ''One of the pro- 
nounced, positive, strong men of the West is Hon. Wm. F. Co^lv, cf Xe ia>ka, known quite generally 
the world over as 'Buft'alo Bill.' A sturdy, generous, positive eli.uactcr, who, as hunter, guide, 
scout, Government officer, member of the Legislature, and gentleman, rises to the equal oif every 
emergency into which his way is opened or directed. Quick to think and to act, cool in all cases 
of pleasure or extreme danger; versatile in his genius; broad and liberal in his ideas; progressive 
in his mentality, he can no more keep still or settle down into a routine work incidental to office 
or farm life, than an eagle can thrive in a cage. 

"The true Western man is free, fearless, generous and chivalrous. Of this class, Hon. 
Wm. F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill,' is a bright representative. As a part of his rushing career he has 
brought together material for what he correctly terms a Wild West Exhibition. I should call it a 
Wild West Reality. The idea is not merely to take in money from those who witness a very lively 
exhibition, but to give people in the East a correct representation of life on the plains, and the 
incidental life of the hardy, brave, intelligent pioneers, who are the first to blaze the way to the 
future homes and greatness of America. He knows the worth and sturdiness of true Western 
character, and as a lover of his country, wishes to present as many facts as possible to the public, 
so that those who will, can see actual pictures of life in the West, brought to the East for the 
inspection and education of the public. 

" 'Buffalo Bill' has brought the Wild West to the doors of the East. There is more of real 
life, of genuine interest, of positive education in this startling exhibition) than I have ever before 
seen, and it is as true to nature and life as it really is with those who are smoothing the way for 



milliOJis to follow. Ail of this imaginary Romeo and Juliet business sinks to utter msignificance in 
comparisoTi to the drama of existence as is here so well enacted, and all the operas in the world 
appear like pretty playthings for emasculated children by the side of the settmg of reality, and the 
mu'^ic of the frontier as so faithfully and extensively presented, and so cleverly managed by this 
incomparable representative of Western pluck, coolness, bravery, independence, and generosity 
I w 
We 



wish every person east of the Missouri River could only see this true, graphic picture of wild 
estern life they would know more and think better of the genuine men of the West. 



I wish there were more progresssive educators like Wm. F. Cody in this world 
"He deserves well for his efforts to please and to instruct in matters important to America, 
and incidents that are passing away 7iever more to return" 
("ould a man now 




'iving have stood 
n\ the shore of the 
Red Sea, and wit- 
nessed the passage 
of the children of 
Israel and the 
struggle of Pha- 
raoh and his hosts, 
what a sight he 
would have seen, 
and how interested 
would be those to 
whom he related 
the story. .- Could 
the man who stood 
on the shore to see 
AVashin g t o n and 
his soldiers cross 
the Delaware have 
lived till now to tell 
the story, what 
crowds he would 
have to listen. How 
interesting would 
be the story of a 
man, if he were now 
living, that had wit- 
nessed the landing 
of Columbus on 
the shores of the 
New World; or 
the story of one of 
the hardy English 
Puritans who took 
passage on the 

Since the railroad gave its aid to pioneering 
other country in the world 



THE FORMER FOE — PRESENT FRIEND, THE AMERICAN. 



"Mayflower," and 
landed on the rock- 
bound coast of New 
England. 

So, too, of the 
angel who has 
seen the far West 
become tame and 
dotted under ad- 
vancing civiliza- 
tion, as the pioneers 
fought their way 
westward into 
desert and jungle. 
What a story he 
can relate as to the 
making of that 
history. And what 
a history America 
has, to be sure! 
From the mouth of 
the Hudson River 
to the shores of the 
Pacific, men, wo- 
men and children 
have con q u e r e d 
the wilderness by 
going to the front 
and staying there. 
Not by crowding 
into cities and liv- 
ing as do worms, 
by crawling through 
each other and 
devouring the leav- 
ings, 
g history faster than any 



America is maki 
Her pioneers are fast passing a-way. A few years more and the great 
struggle for possession will be ended, and generations will settle down to enjoy the homes their 
fathers located and fenced in for them. Then will come the picture maker. He who, with pen, 
pencil, and panel, can tell the story as he understands it. Then millions will read and look at 
what the pioneer did and what the historian related, wishing the while that they could have been 
there to have seen the original. These are of the thoughts to crowd in upon us as we view the 
great living picture that the Hon. Wm. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill") gives at the Wild West Exhi- 
bition, which every man, woman and child the world over should see and study as a realistic fact. 

We see audiences of thousands each night — statesmen, artists, military men, teachers, 
workers, musicians, business men, politicians, artisans, mechanics, and others who desire to know 
as much as possible of the history of America. 

AVe see "Buffalo Bill," the last of the six greatest scouts this country has ever known, 
viz., Boone, Co.ockett, Carson, Bridcer, "Wild Bill," and "Buffalo Bill," and to our 



II 

mind the greatest and most remarkable of all — a man whom this country will never 
duplicate. A nonesuch to the credit of Nature, the world, and the mental and physical material of 
which he was formed, as one made to do'a certain great work. A man in the prime of life, who, 
from the age of ten years, has fought fate and all adverse circumstances, and never to a loss. A 
man who is a man; as a scout; as a pioneer; as a Government officer; as an Indian fighter; as a 
mighty hunter; as a man of honor, and of more than ordinary skill and courage, commanding 
admiration— deserving of recognition as a great character in American history. A natural man 
of the highest order. — Editorial, New York Democrat, June 5, 1886. 




OLD TIME CAM 



BUFFALO BILL AT HOME.— His Great Success Abroad. 
" North Platte should be congratulated on the possession of a citizen whose prominence or 
position is not bounded by his township, his country, or his State, but whose name is a household 
word, whose pictures are familiar, and whose character is kno\yn, not only throughout the nation, 
but has adorned pages, and interested the readers of foreign works and publications. We allude 
to our fellow citizen, Hon. W. F. Cody, whose sobriquet of * Buffalo Bill ' represents a popularity 
only bounded by the area of American territory, and to which we, who live by his own fireside, 
may testify his worthy possession and to the modesty of its wearing. His late return from a 
successful presentation to the East of some of the animated daily scenes and incidents that go to 
form the passing history of 'The Wild West' should be noted, as are events of importance, as it 
marks a new era in the history of amusements: that for originality, adherence to truth in ' holding 
the mirror up to Nature,' and a fidelity to fact that is the ' true aim of art.' The reception accorded 
to his 'show that is not a show, but an illustration,' in the cultured cities of the East, notably 
Boston, Chicago, Newport, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Cleveland, must be gratifying 
to all in North Platte, in fact in Nebraska, where, in the incipiency of the scheme, over a year ago, 
he demonstrated by courage, pluck and perseverance, its feasibility by its introduction in the 
festivities of our national birthday celebration, and on the following natal day presented it on the 
shores of the Atlantic, to the plaudits of over 25,000 delighted Bostonians. The magnitude of the 
undertaking, the minutiae necessary to organizing, the bringing together from all points the best 
marksmen in the world, securing admirable and fitting representatives of the cattle trade, getting 
wild buffalo, elk, steers, mules, ponies, specimens of the red terrors of the prairie, and other 
features of interest known only to the pampas of the West, necessitating special trains of cars for 
transportation, and driving the strange cavalcade through confined Washington Street, Boston, 
in six weeks after leaving the Platte, was an accomplishment that stamps Cody as a wonder in 
energy, and gained for him the admiration and encomiums from the entire press of the East, 
recognition from the elite of American society, encouragement from representatives of education, 
and the indorsement of his methods by the S; P, C. A. and its noted president. Professor Henry 
Berg." — Narih Fiatte T^Ugns^h, xZ&^. ' 



K? 



CODY'S CORRAL: or, the SCOUTS AND THE SIOUX. 



Buckskin Sam.' 



A mounUinclosed valley, close sprinkled with fair tioweis, 

As if a shattered rainbow had fallen there in showers; 

Bright-plumaged birjls were warbling their songs among the trees. 

Or fluttering their tiny wings in the cooling western breeze. 

The cottonwoods, by mountain's base, on every side high tower, 

And the dreamy haze in silence marks the sleepy noontide hour. 

East, south and north, to meet the clouds the lofty mounts arise. 

Guarding this little valley — a wild Western Paradise. 

Pure and untrampled as it looks, this lovely flower-strewn sod — 

One scarce would think, that e'er, by man, had such a sward been trod; 

But yonder, see those wild mustangs by lariat held in check, 

Tearing up the fairest flora, which fairies might bedeck; 

And, near a camp-fire's smoke, we see men standing all around — 

» Tis strange, for from them has not come a single word or sound. 

Standing by Cottonwood, with arms close-folded on his breast. 

Gazing with his eagle eyes up to the mountain's crest, 

Tall and commanding is his form, and graceful is his mien; 

As fair in face, as noble, has seldom here been seen. 

A score or more of frontiersmen recline upon the ground, 

But starting soon upon their feet, by sudften snort and bound! 

A horse has sure been frightened by strange scenton the breeze. 

And glances now by all are cast beneath the towering trees. 

A quiet sign their leader gives, and mustangs now are brought; 

And, by swift-circling lasso, a loose one fast is caught. 

Then thundering round the mountain's dark adamantine side, 

A hundred hideous, painted, and fierce Siou.x warriors ride; 

While, from their throats, the, well-known and horrible death-kiiell 

The wild blood-curdling war-whoop, and the fierce and fiendish yell, 

Strikes the ears of all, now ready to fight, and e'en to die, 

In that mount-inclosed valley, beneath that blood-red sky J 

Now rings throughout the open, on ali sides clear and shrill. 

The dreaded battle-cry of him whom men call Buffalo Bill ! 

On, like a whirlwind, then they dash — the brave scouts of the plains, 



Their rifle-barrels soft-carest by mustang's flying manes ! 
On, like an avalanche, they sweep through the tall prairie grass; 
Down, fast upon them, swooping, the dread and savage mass ! 
Wild yells of fierce bravado come, and taunts of deep despair; 
While, through the battle-smoke there flaunts each feathered tuft of 

hair. 
And loudly rings the war-i ry of fearless Buffalo Bill; 
And loudly rings the savage yells, which make the blood run chill ! 
The gurgling death cry mingles with the mustang's shrillest scream. 
And sound of dull and sodden falls and bowie's brightest gleam. 
At length there slowly rises the smoke from heaps of slain, 
Whose wild war-cries will never more ring on the air again. 
Then, panting and bespattered from the showers of foam and blond, 
The scouts have once more halted 'neath the .shady cottonwood. 
In haste they are re-loading, and preparing for a sally, 
While the scattered foe, now desperate, are yelling in the valley. 
Again are heard revolvers, with their rattling, sharp report; 
Again the scouts are seen to charge down en that wild cohort. 
Sioux fall around, like dead reeds, when fiercest northers blow, 
And rapid sink in death before their hated pale-face foe ! 
Sad, smothered now is music from the mountain's rippling rill. 
But wild hurrahs instead are heard from our brave Buffalo Bill, 
Who, through the thickest carnage charged ever in the van, 
And'cheered faint hearts around him, since first the fight began 
Deeply demoralized, the Siou.x fly fast with bated breath, 
And glances cast of terror along that vale of death; 
While the victors quick dismounted, and looking all around. 
On their dead and mangled enemies, whose corses strewed the ground, 
"I had sworn I would avenge them"— were the words of Buffalo Hill— 
'•The mothers and their infants they slew at Medicine Hill. 
Our work is done — done nobly —I looked for that from you; 
i^oys, when a cause is iust, you need but stand firm and true !" 

—Beadle-'s lTV''/-/i'. 



A stirring life picture of a battle between the whites and Indians, showing tlie tactics and 
mode of warfare of each, will be given by the skilled members of both races in " Buffalo Bill's" 
representation of scenes in the Wild West, 




THE PAWNEES ASTONISHED. 

W, F, Cody, althougli having established his right to the title of " Buffa, o Bill " for 
years before, had not had opportunity to convince the Pawnees of the' justice of the claim previous 
to the time of the following incident. A short while previously a band of marauding red-skin 
renegades from that nation, while on a stealing excursion near Ellsworth, had occasion to regret 
their temerity, and cause to remember him to the extent of three killed, which fact for a time 



resulted in an enmity tliut needed something out of the usual run fo establish him in their favor. 
While on a military expedition, under Gen. E. A. Carr, upon the Republican, he met Major 
North and the Pawnee scouts. One day a herd of buffalo were descried, and Cody desired to 
join in the hunt. The Indians objected, telling the Major, "The white talker would only scare 
them away." Seventy-three Indians attacked the herd and killed twenty-three. Later in 
the day another herd' was discovered, and Major North insisted that the white chief have a 
chance to prove his skill. After much grumbling, they acquiesced grudgingly, and with ill-con- 
cealed smiles of derision consented to be spectators. Judge of their surprise when Cody 
charged the herd, and single-handed and alone fairly amazed them by killing forty-eight buffalo 
in fifty minutes, thus forever gaining their admiration and a firm friendship that has since often 
accrued to his benefit. 

COLONEL ROYALL'S WAGONS. 
Once upon the South Fork of the Solomon, Col. Royall ordered Cody to kill some buffalo 
that were in sight to feed his men, but declined to send Ws wagons until assured of the game. 
Bill rounded the herd, and, getting them in a line for camp, drove them in and killed seven near 
headquarters; or, as the Colonel afterward laughingly remarked, " furnishing grub and his own 
transportation." 

THE BOW AND ARROW. 

The bow' is the natural weapon 
of the wild tribes or the West. Pre- 
vious to the introduction of fire-arms, 
it was the weapon supreme of every 
savkge's outfit — in fact, his principal 
dependence, backed by personal skill 
in its use, for sustenance for himself 
and his pappooses. It still retains its 
favor, as it is not always safe to rely 
on the white man's mechanism, as in 
case of lack of ammunition or deranged 
lock or trigger, time and location pre- 
vent its being " mended." As a weapon 
of economy, it is also to be commended, 
as the hunting arrow is made so that 
the rear shoulders of the long, taper- 
ing blade slope backward, thus facili- 
tating its withdrawal from the wounded 
game. On the other hand, in the war arrow, the rear shoulders slope forward, forming barbs, 
as it is intended to remain and eventually kill. The possession, therefore, of firearms has not 
affected the Indian's love of this reliable weapon of the chase, which, being his first childish 
plaything, is still, no matter how well armed or how rich he may be, an indispensable possession. 
At short distances it is a terribly effective arm, and the Indian expert can seize five to ten 
arrows in his left hand, and dispatch them with such rapidity that the last one will be on its 
flight before the first one touches the ground. In close quarters they prefer to rely on it to 
depending on the rifle, as it can be of d^.adly force at from thirty to forty yards, and creating a 
bad wound at much greater distance. In buffalo hunting, where the horseman can approach 
near, it is invaluable and economic, and is often buried to the feathers. "Two Lance," an Indian 
chief, during the Grand Duke's hunt, sent an arrow clear through a bison, Alexis retaining the 
light-winged messenger of death as a souvenir of his hunt on the American Plains. 

THE BUFFALO. 

The buffalo is the true bison of the ancients. It is distinguished by an elevated stature, 
measuring six to seven feet at the shoulders, and ten to twelve feet from nose to tail. Many 
are under the impression that the buffalo was never an inhabitant of any country save ours. 
Their bones have been discovered in the superficial strata of temperate Europe; they were 
common in Germany in the eighth century. Primitive man in America found this animal his 
principal means of subsistence, while to pioneers, hunters, emigrants, settlers, and railroad 
builders this fast disappearing monarch ot the plains was invaluable. Messrs. Cody & Co. have 
a herd of healthy specimens of this hardy bovme m connection with their instructive exhibition, 
"The Wild West," rendered interesting as the last of their kind. 





A PRACTICAL "ALT--ROUND SHOT." 
In contradistinction to the many so-called " fancy shots " that have for years been before 
the public, "Buffalo Bili," is what may be termed a "practical marksman," and where that 
expression's full meaning is understood, he is looked on as a marvelous "all-round shot." That 
is, a man of deadly aim in any emergency, with any weapon — a small Derringer, a Colt's, a shot- 
gun, a carbine, a blunderbus, or a rifle — at any foe, red or white; at any game — chicken, jack- 
rabbit, antelope, deer, buffalo, bear, or elk; at the swiftest bird or soaring eagle; on foot, in any 
position; on horseback, at any speed. To be such a marksman is only the result of years of 
necessity for exercising *the faculties of instantaneous measurement of distance, acuteness of 
vision — in fact, an eagle eye and iron nerves — to think quick, to resolve, to fire, to kill. As a 
hunter these gifts have rendered him famous and gained him plaudits from admiring officers, 
noblemen, sportsmen, and competitors in the chase, and compelled the respect and fear of his 
implacable Indian foes. That he exists to-day is the result of the training that enables a man in 
the most startling exigency to command himself, and to meet the circumstances face to face, 
whatever they may be, and achieve, by cool precision, deserved victory in the field, and embellish 
history with deeds of heroism. Mr. Cody will give an exhibition of his ability by shooting 
objects thrown in the air while galloping at full speed, executing difficulties that would receive 
commendation if accomplished on foot, and which can only be fully appreciated by those who 
have attempted the feat while experiencing a rapid pace when occupying "a seat in the saddle." 

CODY SAVES "WILD BILL." 
After a very long march, full of hardships and suffering. Gen. Penrose's camp was found 
on the Palodora in a most distracted condition. Gen. Carr's arrival was none too soon, as the 
famished men were sustaining life on the last carcasses of their draught animals. In a few weeks 
Black Kettle's depredations necessitated a pursuit. . . . The consolidated command 
discovered the Indians on the Cimarron, and a terrific battle ensued. ... In this fight 
" Buffalo 15111 " and " Wild Bill " did almost the work of a regiment; braver men never went into 
an action, both figluing as though they were invulnerable. In the fury and rout which followed 
the first charge, "Wild Bill" gave chase to Black Kettle, head chief of the Cheyennes, 
overtook and engaged the fleeing red warrior, stabbing him to death. But the accomplishment 
of this heroic action would have cost him his own life, had not " Buffalo Bill" ridden with 
impetuous daring into the very midst of fully fifty Indians, who had surrounded "Wild Bill," 
intent on either his capture or death. The two daring and intrepid scouts plunged furiously int® 



IS 
the mjd^t of the Indians, each with a revolver in either hand, and literally carved their way 
through the surging mass of redskins, leaving a furrow of dead Indians in their wake. Such 
fighting, such riding, and such marvelous intrepidity combined, were doubtless never equaled, 
and if but this act alone were credited to the valor of *• Wild Bill" and "Buffalo Bill," their 
names would deserve inscription on Fame's enduring monument. — BueWs History. 

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM PROMINENT MILITARY MEN. 
from an old commander', 
[copy] 
5th Avenue Hotel, New York, 

June 29th, 18S7. 
Hon. WiM. F. CoDV, 

London, England. 
Dear Cody: — In common with all 
your countrymen, I want to let you know 
that I am not only gratified, but proud 
of your management and general be- 
.lavior ; so far as I can make out you 
have been modest, graceful, and dignified 
in all you have done to illustrate the his- 
tory of civilization on this Continent dur- 
ing the past century. 

I am especially pleased with the grace- 
ful and pretty compliment paid you by 
the Princess of Wales, who rode in the 
Deadwood Coach while it was attacked 
by the Indians and rescued by the Cow- 
boys. Such things did occur in our days, 
and may never again. 

As' near as I can estimate there were 
in 1 865 about nine and a half of millions of 
buffaloes on the plains between the Mis- 
souri River and the Rocky Mountains; 
all are now gone — killed for their meat, 
their skins and bones. 

This seems like desecration, cruelty, 
and murder, yet they have been replaced 
by twice as many neat cattle. At that 
date there were about 165,000 Pawnees, 
Sioux, Cheyennes, Kiowa s. and Arapahoes, 
who " depended pn these buffaloes for 
their yearly food. They, too, are gone, 
and have been replaced by twice or 
thrice as many white men and women, 
who have made the earth to blossom as 
the rose, and who can be counted, taxed, 
and governed by the laws of nature and civilization. This change has been salutary, and will 
go on to the end. You have caught one epoch of the world's history ; have illustrated it in the 
very heart of the modern world — London, and I want you to feel that on this side the water 
we appreciate it. This drama must end ; days, years, and centuries follow fast, even the drama 
of civilization must have an end. 

All I aim to accomplish on this sheet of paper is to assure you that I fully recognize your 
work and that the presence of the Queen, the beautiful Princess of Wales, the Prince, and British 
public, are marks of favor which reflect back on America sparks of light which illuminate many 
a house and cabin in the land where once you guided me honestly and faithfully in 1865 -'6 from 
Fort Riley to Kearney in Kansas and Nebraska. Sincerely your friend, ^V. T. SHERMAN. 

A\'ar Dki'art.mf.nt, Adjutant-General's Office, 
To whom it may concern: Washington, August 10, 1886. 

Mr. William F. Codv was employed as Chief of Scouts under Generals Sheridan, Custer, 
Crook, Miles, Carr, and others, in their campaigns against hostile Indians on our frontier, and 
as such rendered very valuable and distinguished service. S. W. DRUM, Adjutant-General. 




2t 

STATE OF NEBRASKA- 

To all whom these presents shall come. Greeting: 

KnoNv Ye that I, John M. Thayer, Governor of the State of Nebraska, reposing special 
trust and confidence in the nitegrity, patriotism and ability of the Hon. William F Cctov on 
behalf and m the name of the State, do hereby appoint and commission him as Aide-de-Campof 
my Staff, with the rank of Colonel, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties 
<»t said umce according to law. ' / 

Jn tc-stiniony whereof I have lu-reunlo subscribed my name and caused to be affixed the C;reat P 
Seal of the State. / 

: i.RTNDSEAir'oK'THE''-' ^""^ ^^ Lincoln this 8th day of March, A. U., 1867. 

; STATE OF NEBRASKA i JOHN M. THAYER. 

: March ist, 1867. : - ^y ^he Governor, 

G. L. Laur, Secretary ot State. 

.• .Jl'n following letter received with a photograph of the hero of the "March to the Sea " 
Gen. \V. 1 Sherman: ' 

,,, ,, ,„ „ New York, December 25, 1886, 

10 LOL. VVm. F. Codv:— Uith the best compliments of one who, in 1866, was guided bv f ' 
•Imn up the Republican, then occupied by the Cheyennes and Araoahoes as their ancestral hunt- 
mg-grounds, now transformed into farms and cattle-ranches, in better harmony wath modern 
civilization, and with his best wishes that he succeed in his honorable efforts to represent the 
scenes ot that day to a generation then unborn. W. T. SHERMAN General. 

rnr \y., ^ r ^ c T, n- , New YoRK, December 28, 1886. 

X HMt yr ' Pu'\?^A^ Sir -Recalling the many facts that came to me while I was 

Adjutant-General of the Division of the Missouri, under General Sheridan, bearing upon youK 
cfticiency, fidelity, and daring as a guide and scout over the country west of the Missouri River 

F-istTlu> Pnr vliJ^'^nf ^th ?r?"''' ^ v^^ V\^■^^^^^^^ in observing your success in depicting in the 
Last the early life of the West. ^ Very truly yours, JAMES B. FRY 

Assistant Adjutant-General, Brevet Major-Geiieral, U. S. A 

Headquarters Army of the United States 
r- , IV T7 ^ . Washington, D. C., January 7, 1887. 

GoL. AVm F. Cody was a scout, and served in my command on the Western frontier for 

c haracter I take pleasure ,n commending him for the many services h^ has rendered to the 
Army, whose respect he enjoys for his manly qualities. p. H. SHERIDAN, 

. Lieutenant-General. 

Co,, Wm F Conv: D..k S,K,-Havi„g visited "t^^T^lS^rS^ll' ^ a^d 
^^:^^;}^1 ^^^^^^ /°" °" the successor your enterprise. I .^ much 



■ .;. . 1 • .1 r ,.; — "b'"-"'"'-^- .yv." wii Liic sLn.i.cbs ui your enterprise. I was muc 

nterested in he various life-like representations of Western scenery, as well as the fine exhib - 
t.on ot skilled markmanship and magnificent horsemanship. You not onlv represent the nanv 
interesting features of frontier life, but also the difficulties and dangers that l?ave been encoZ^ 
ered by the adventurous and fearless pioneers of civilization. The wild Indian life as it was a 
few years ago will soon be a thing of the past, but you appear to have se ected a good class 
of Indians to represent that race of people, and I regard yiur Exhibition as not only very inter 



W ith best M ishes tor your success, believe me very truly yours, 

NELSON A. MILES, Brigadier-General, U. S. A. 
"HE IS KING OF THEM ALL." 

He.^dquarters Mounted Recruiting Service, 

nhn f ,^^.^J«^ Jo«N M Burke: Dear Sir,-I take pleasure^'in^'L^'ving^t'l^at^^^^^^^^^^^ exptdence of 
about thirty years on the plains and in the mountains, I have seen a great manv .ufe scouts 
trailers, and hunters, and Buffalo Bill (W. F. Codv) is Kino- nf them -,11 Hp l. -"1 ' ?, ' 

in seven Indian fights, and his servicesS.ave beeiri/n'luable. Very rel^i^ctfuHy'^ou^:" "''' "' 

EUGENE A. GARR, Brevet Major-General, U.'s. A. 



17 

United States Military Academy, 

West Point, N. Y., January ii, 1887. 
* * * I have known W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill; for many years. He is a Western man 
of the best type, combining those qualities of enterprise, daring, good sense, artd physical endur- 
ance which made him the superior of any scout I ever knew. He was cool and capable when 
surrounded by dangers, and his reports were always free from exaggeration. He is a gentleman 
in that better sense of the word which implies character, and he may be depended on under all 
circumstances. I wish him success. 

W. MERRITT, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A., 
Late Major-General Volunteers. 













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BUFFALO BILL GUIDING GENERAL SHERIDAN's RELIEF TRAIN IN WINTER, 1868. 



Omaha, Neb., January 7, 1887, 
Hon, Wm, F, Cody: Dear Sir, — I take great pleasure in testifying to the very efficient 
service rendered by you "as a scOut," in the campaign against the Sioux Indians, during the 
year 1876. Also, that I have witnessed your Wild West Exhibition, I consider it the most 
realistic performance of the kind I have ever seen. 

Very sincerely, your obedient servant, 

GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier-General U. S, A. 



Washington, D. C, February 8, 1S87. 
Mr. Cody was chief guide and hunter to my command, when I commanded the District of 
North Platte, and he performed all his duties with marked excellence. 

W, H. EMORY, Major-General U. S. A. 



Headquarters 7th Cavalry, Fort Mead, Dakota Territory^ ;\ 

February 14, 1887. 
My Dear Sir, — Your army career on the frontier, and your present enterprise of 'depicting 
scenes in the Far West, are so enthusiastically approved and commended by the American people 
and the most prominent men of the U. S. Army, that there is nothing left for me to say. I feel 
sure your new departure will be a success. 

With best wishes, I remain, yours truly, 

JAMES W. FORSYTH, Colonel 7th Cavalry. 



i8 

Jersey City, 405 Bergen Ave., February 7, 1887. 
Hon. Wm. F. Cody: My Dear Sir, — I fully and with pleasure indorse you as th eritable 
" Buffalo Bill," U. S. Scout, serving with the troops operating against hostile Indians in 1868, on 
the plains. I speak from personal knowledge, and from reports of officers and others, with whom 
you secured renown by your services as a scout and successful hunter. Your sojourn on the 
frontier at a time when it was a wild and sparsely settled section of the Continent, fullv enables 
you to portray that in which I have personally participated — the Pioneer, Indian Fighter, and 
Frontiersman. Wishing you every success, I remain, very respectfully yours, 

H. C. BANKHEAD, Brigadier-General, U. S. A. 



Hotel Richmond, Washington, D. C, January 9, 1887. 
W, F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was with me in the early days, when I commanded a Battalion 
of the 5th Cavalry, operating against the hostile Sioux. He filled every position, and met every 
emergency with so much bravery, competence and intelligence as to command the general 
admiration and respect of the officers, and become chief of Scouts of the Department. All his 
successes have been conducted on the most honorable principles. 

W. B. ROYALL, Colonel 4th Cavalry, U. S. A. 



Headquarters ist Cavalry, Fort Custer, M. T. 
I often recall your valuable services to the Government, as well as to myself, in years long 
gone by, specially during the Sioux difficulties, when you were attached to my command as Chief 
of Scouts. Your indomitable perseverance, incomprehensible instinct in discovering the trails of 
the Indians, particularly at night, no matter how dark or stormy, your physical powers of endurance 
in following the enemy until overtaken, and your unflinching courage, as exhibited on all occasions, 
won not only my own esteem and admiration, but that of the whole command. With my best 
wishes for your success, I remain your old friend, 

N. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel ist Cavalry, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. A 



Tallahassee, Fla., January 12, 1887. 
Hon. William F. Cody: — I take great pleasure in recommending you to the public, as a man 
who has a high reputation in the army as a Scout. No one has ever shown more bravery on the 
Western plains than yourself. I wish you success in your proposed visit to Great Britain. Your 
obedient servant, JNO. H. KING, Brevet Major-General U. S. A. 




** SPRING THAWS REVEAL BAD GUIDING." — DodgC. 




LASSOING WILD HORSES ON THE PLATTE IN OLD DAYS. 



LINES INSPIRED ON WITNESSING THE PRAIRIE CHIEF CARESSING HIS BABY DAUGHTER, 

- LITTLE IRMA CODY 

Only a baby's fingers patting a brawny cheek, As it cleft the heart of the Yellow Hand, 

Only a laughing dimple in the chin so soft and sleek. In revenge of Custer's fate. 

Only a cooing babble, only a frightened tear. Has the tender touch of a woman, 

But it makes a man both brave and kind As, rifle and knife iaid by, 

To have them ever near. He coos and tosses the baby, 

The hand that seemed harsh and cruel. Darling "apple of his eye.'* 

Nerved by a righteous hate —Richmond,, 




"buffalo bill's" home and horse RANCH ON THE OLD FIGHTING GROUND OF THE PAWNEE ANP SIOUX. 



MR. NATE SALSBURY, DIRECTOR. 

Born 1846, February 28th, in Freeport, 111., the family being descendants of the early 
Vermont settlers, went out with the first Illinois troops ; served through the entire Rebellion ; 
was the youngest enlisted soldier in the Army of the Cumberland ; wounded three times ; is a 
member of Post 11, G. A. R., Department of Massachusetts; went on the stage in 1868; has 

acted before every English-speaking 
public in the world. 

The Amusement Department will 
be under the personal supervision 
of this eminent actor, whose successful 
career is now a matter of American 
Stage History. Years of continued 
success as a caterer to the amusement 
loving public of this country, Australia, 
India and Europe, both as actor and 
manager, is a guarantee that the 
"Wild West" will be presented in a 
manner and style commensurate with 
his well-known managerial ability, 
and artistic judgment, Mr. Salsburv 
long ago invested heavily in the cattle 
business in Montana, and is now part 
owner of one of the largest and most 
valuable ranches in the Northwest. 
During his repeated visits to the same 
he became impressed with the scenes 
and episodes witnessed, and thought 
of the feasibility of presenting them as 
far as practicable to the citizens of the 
East. An interchange of opinions 
with Col. Cody disclosed a similar 
intention, so that to the fertile brains 
of Messrs. Cody and Salsbury we 
are indebted for the first conjuring up of this novel project. They spoke of it years ago, and 
Salsbury went to Europe to see if it would be advisable to take such a show on the Continent. 
Meanwhile, with Mr. Salsbury's knowledge, "Buffalo Bill " started the enterprise to see if it 
could be made successful in this country. Last year's experiences were proof that it could, and 
now all hands will join in getting up a "Wild West" show 
that will be remarkable in all respects. \^' 

"THE COW-BOY KID"— THE BOY MARKSMAN. 
Johnnie Baker was born at O'Fallon's Bluffs, on the 
banks of the South Platte River, in Western Nebraska, 
in the year 1870. His father is the well-known "Old Lew 
Baker, the ranchman," and was the owner of Lew Baker's 
O'Fallon's Bluff Ranch, in its day an important landmark. 
This place was one of the most noted on the great overland 
trail — the scenes, incidents, Indian attacks, etc, belonging 
to exhaustive pages in the early history of that, in old times, 
exposed and dangerous section. Here Johnnie's babyhood 
was passed in unconscious proximity to dangers seldom 
courted by the most sturdy, and his first "bug-a-boo " was 
not of the maternal imagining, but an existing fact, con- 
tinually threatening, in the shape of the heartless savage 
Sioux. Cradled amid such pioneer surroundings, and 
dandled on the knees of all the most celebrated frontiersmen, 
the genuine old buckskin trappers— the first frontier invaders 
—his childhood witnessed the declining glories of the 
buffalo-hunters' paradise (it being the heart of their domain), 
and the advent of his superior, "the long horn of Texas" 
and his necessary companion, "The Cow-Boy." ' 





The appearance of these brave, generous, free-hearted, self-sacrificing rough riders of the 
plains, literally living in the saddle, enduring exposure, hunger, risk of health and life as a duty 
to the employer, gave him his first communion with society beyond the sod cabin threshold, and 
impressed his mind, as well as directed his aspirations, to an emulation of the manly qualities 
necessary to be ranked a true American Cowboy. 

When the Pony Express, the Stage Coach, and the wagon-trains were supplanted by the 
steam-horse. Baker's station became useless, and "Old Lew" removed bag and baggage to 
North Platte, a little town of magical railroad growth. Here he built a fine house, which became 
the headquarters of the "old timers," and many a tenderfoot can remember the thrilling incidents 
related of "life on the trail" — a life that now belongs alone to history and to romance — while Old 
Lew dispensed hospitality like a prince. But the ways of "city life," a too big heart, of which 
the "shiftless, genial affinities" and rounders took due advantage, caused his former prosperity 
to be a remembrance only, and Johnnie to work manfully, for one of his age, to lend a helping 
hand. Perfectly at home in the saddle, he was never content unless with some cowboy outfit, 
or at Mr. Cody's (whose homestead, extensive horse and cattle ranches, are near), where his 
active spirit found congenial associations, until he became recognized as "Buffalo Bill's boy." In 
the winter months he occasionally went to school, and being an apt scholar, has a fair education. 

Mr. Cody, on organizing his 
" distinctly American exhibi- 
tion, could not leave little 
Johnnie out. He can be 
seen every day with the 
Wild West, mounted on his 
fiery little mustang, riding, 
roping, shooting — .repeating 
on the mimic scene his own 
experience, and the boyhood 
life of his elder, more famed 
associates, and any boy of 
his own age who can excel 
him in shooting, riding, and 
lassoing can "break every 
man in the outfit," as there 
are none who will not risk 
their pile on "The Cow-boy 
Kid." 




ANNIE OAKLEY— 

(Little Sure Shot.) 

This celebrated Girl Shot 
was born at Woodland, 
Ohio. Ever since a toddling 
child she has had an inherent 
love for fire-arms and hunt- 
ing, and at the age of ten,she 
as often as ammunition was 
obtainable, would smuggle 
her brother's musket and 
steal into the woods where 
game at that time was 
plentiful. Naturally, she 
was a good shot, and came 
home well supplied with 
game. At the age of twelve 
she was presented with a 
light muzzle-loading shot 
gun, and also a breech- 
loading rifle. With the 
shot gun she improved 



22 

lapidly, and became such a fine shot that she rarely missed a quail or pheasant, and, at the age 
of fourteen she had paid off a mortgage on her mother's homestead with money earned from 
the game and skins shot and trapped by herself alone — while her aim with rifle was so true 
that she was debarred from entering in the turkey matches which were the popular holiday 
amusement in that part of the country. 

Then came a local reputation; and with improved fire-arms she attracted wider attention, 
and for the past several years she has been shooting before the public with great success, and, 
although she has many times beaten all records, like the modest little girl she is, she never uses 
the word Champion in connection with her name. "Sitting Bull," the great Indian Chief, after 
seeing her shoot in St. Paul, Minn., adopted her into the Sioux tribe, giving her the name of 
"Watanya Cicilla," or, "Little Sure Shot." 

The first two years before the public she devoted to Rifle and Pistol Shooting, and there is 
very little in that line she has not accomplished. At Tiffin, Ohio, she once shot a ten-cent piece 
held between the thumb and forefinger ot an attendant at a distance of 30 feet. In April, 1884, 
she attempted to beat the best record made at balls thrown in the air— the best record was 984 
made by Dr. Ruth. Miss Oakley used a Stevens' 22 cal. rifle and broke 943. In February, 
1885, she attempted the feat of shooting 5,000 balls in one day, loading the guns herself. In 
this feat she used three 16-gauge hammer guns; the balls were thrown from three traps 15 yards 
rise; out of the 5,000 shot at, she broke 4,772; on the second thousand she only missed 16, 
making //r^ /^<?i-/ 1,000 ball record, 984. Besides the thousands of exhibitions she has. given in 
Europe and America, she has shot in over 50 matches and tournaments, winning forty-one 
prizes; her collection of medals and fire-arms, all of which have been won or presented to her, is 
considered one of the finest in the world. 

Miss Oakley is also an accomplished equestrienne, and her success with the public has 
been greatly enhanced by the fact that in dress, style, and execut'.on she is as original as she is 
attractive. 



THE RIFLE AS AN AID TO CIVILIZATION. 

There is a trite saying that "the pen is mightier than the sword." It is an equally true 
one that the bullet is the pioneer of civilization, for it has gone hand in hand with the axe that 
cleared the forest, and with the family Bible and school book. Deadly as has been its mission in 
one sense, it has been merciful in another; for without the rifle ball we of America would not be 
to-day in the possession of a free and united country, and mighty in our strength. 

And so has it been in the history of all people, from the time when David slew Goliath, 
down through the long line of ages, until in modern times, science has substituted for the stone 
from David's sling the terrible missiles that now decide the fate of nations. It is not therefore, 
so harsh an expression as it seems to be at first sight, that it is indeed the bullet which has been 
the forerunner of growth and development. 

It is in the far West of America, however, and along our frontier, that the rifle has found 
its greatest use and become a part of the person and the household of the venturesome settler, 
the guide, the scout, and the soldier; for nowhere else in Christendom is it so much and so 
frequently a necessity for the preservation of life, and the defence of home and property. It is 
here, too, among the hunters on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains, that one sees the per- 
fection of that skill in marksmanship that has become the wonder of those who are not accus- 
tomed to the daily use of weapons. Yet if it were not possessed — if there were not the quick eye, 
the sure aim, coolness in the moment of extreme danger, whether threatened by man or beast — 
life in that section would be of little value, and a man's home anything but a safe abiding place. 

There are exceptional cases of men like "Buefalo Bill," Major North, and others, whose 
names are more or less familiar among the mighty hunters of the West, who excel in the use of 
rifle and pistol, and to which, time and time again, they and those around them have owed their 
lives. And they are the worthy successors of a long line of marksmen whose names are also 
"familiar as household words." Who does not recall David Crockett and his death-dealing rifle 
in the Alamo? Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, and the heroic exploits that have been written 
concerning them in the early pages of our country's history? 

It is to the end that the people of the East, or rather those who are not acquainted with 
the rough life of the border, and especially that portion of it in which the rifle plays so important 
a part, may personally witness some of the feats of Western men, that Messrs. Cody & Co., 
have determined to introduce in their "great realistic picture? of Western life" a series of 



23 

shooting exhibitions. The manner in which buffalo are hunted, the exciting chase at close 
quarters, the splendidly trained horses who participate in the chase, the hunt for elk, the stealthy 
devices of Indians in capturing the fleet-footed animals — all these will be illustrated in a manner 
that has never been witnessed East of the Mississippi River. — BuelVs Life on the Plains. 



A HISTORICAL COACH OF THE DEADWOOD LINE, 

THE INDIANS' ATTACK ON WHICH WILL BE REPRESENTED IN "BUFFALO BILL's " WILD WEST, AND 
ALSO ITS RESCUE BY THE SCOUTS AND PLAINSMEN. 

The denizens of the Eastern States of the Union are accustomed to regard the West as the 
region of romance and adventure. And, in truth, its history abounds with thrilling incidents and 
surprising changes. Every inch of that beautiful country has been won from a cruel and savage 
foe by danger and conflict. In the terrible wars of the border which marked the early years of 
the Western settlements, the men signalized themselves by performing prodigies of valor, while 
the women, in their heroic courage and endurance, afforded a splendid example of devotion and 
self-sacrifice. The history of the wagon trains and stage coaches that preceded the railway is 
written all over with blood, and the story of suffering and disaster, often as it has been repeated, 
is only known in all of its horrid details to the bold frontiersmen who, as scouts and rangers, 
penetrated the strongholds of the Indians, and, backed by the gallant men of the army, became 
the avant couriers of Western civilization and the terror of the red man. 




Among the most stirring episodes in the life of the Western pioneer are those connected 
with the opening of new lines of travel, for it is here, among the trails and canyons, where lurk 
the desperadoes of both races, that he is brought face to face with danger in its deadliest forms. 
No better illustration of this fact is furnished than in the history of the famous Deadwood Coach, 
the scarred and weather-beaten veteran of the original " star route " line of stages, established at 
a time when it was worth a man's life to sit on its box and journey from one end of its destination 
to the other. The accompanying picture affords an idea of the old relic, and it is because of its 
many associations with his own life that it has been purchased by "Buffalo Bill," and added 
to the attractions of his " Great Realistic Exhibition of Western Novelties." 

It will be observed that it is a heavily built Concord stage, and is intended for a team of 
six horses. The body is swung on a pair of heavy leather underbraces, and has the usual thick 
"perches," "jacks," and brakes belonging to such a vehicle. It has a large leather "boot"— 



24 

behind, and another at the driver's foot-board. The coach was intended to seat twenty-one men 
—the driver and two men beside him, twelve inside, and the other six on top. As it now stands, 
the leather blinds of the windows are worn, the paint is faded, and it has a battered and travel- 
stained aspect that tells the story of hardship and adventure. Its trips began in 1875, when the 
owners were Messrs. Gilmour, Salsbury & Co. Luke Voorhees is the present manager. The 
route was between Cheyenne and Deadwood, via Fort Laramie, Rawhide Buttes, Hat or ^War 
Bonnet Creek, the place where "Buffalo Bill" killed the Indian Chief, " Yellow Hand," on 
July 17, 1876, Cheyenne River, Red Canyon, and Custer. Owing to the long distance and dangers, 
the drivers were always chosen for their coolness, courage and skill. 

In its first season the dangerous places on the route were Buffalo Gap, Lame Johnny Creek, 
Red Canyon, and Squaw Gap, ail of wliich were made famous by scenes of slaughter and the 
deviltry of the banditti. Conspicuous among the latter were " Curley " Grimes, who was killed 
at Hogan's Ranch; " Peg-Legged " Bradley; Bill Price, who was killed on the Cheyenne River; 
"Dunk" Blackburn, who is now in the Nebraska State Prison, and others of the same class, 
representing the most fearless of the road agents of the West. 

On the occasion of the first attack the driver, John Slaughter, a son of the present marshal 
of Cheyenne, was shot to pieces with buckshot. He fell to the ground, and the team ran away, 
escaping witii the passengers and mail, and safely reached Greeley's Station. This occurred at 
White Wood Canyon. Slaughter's body was recovered, brought to Deadwood, and thence 
carried to Cheyenne, where it is now buried. The old coach here received its "baptism of fire," 
and during the ensuing summer passed through a variety of similar experiences, being frequently 
attacked. One of the most terrific of these raids was made by the Sioux Indians, but the assault 
was successfully repelled, although the two leading horses were killed. Several commercial 
travelers next suffered from a successful ambush, on which occasion a Mr. Liebman, of Chicago, 
was killed, and his companion shot through the shoulder. 

After this stormy period it was fitted up as a treasure coach, and naturally became ari 
object of renewed interest to the robbers; but owing to the strong force of what is'known as 
"shotgun messengers" who accompanied the coach, it was a long time before the bandits suc- 
ceeded in accomplishing their purpose. Among the most prominent of these messengers were 
Scott Davis, a splendid scout, and one of the self-appointed undertakers of many of the lawless 
characters of the neighborhood; Boone May, one of the best pistol shots in the Rocky 
Mountain regions, who killed Bill Price in the streets of Deadwood, together with "Curley" 
Grunes, one or the road agents; Jim May, a worthy brother — a twin in courage if not in birth. 
Few men have had more desperate encounters than he, and the transgressors of the law have had 
many an occasion to feel the results of his keen eye and strong arm whenever it has become neces- 
sary to face men who are prei)ared to '" d'e with their boots on." Still another of these border 
heroes (for such they may be justly termed) is Gail Hill, now the deputy sheriff of Deadwood, and 
his frequent companion was Jesse Brown, an old time Indian fighter, who has a record of incident 
and adventure that would make a book. These men constituted a sextette of as brave fellows as 
could be found on the frontier, and their names are all well known in that country. 

At last, however, some of them came to grief. The bandits themselves were old fighters. 
The shrewdness of one party was offset by that of the other, and on an unlucky day the celebrated 
Cold Spring tragedy occurred. The station had been captured, and the road agents secretly 
occupied the place. The stage arrived in its usual manner, and without suspicion of danger the 
driver. Gene Barnett, halted at the stable door. An instant afterward a volley was delivered 
that killed Hughey Stevenson, sent the buckshot through the body of Gail Hill, and dangerously 
wounded two others of the guards. The bandits then captured the outfit, amounting to some 
sixty thousand dollars in goid. 

On another occasion the coach was attacked, and, when the driver was killed, saved by a 
woman— Martha Canary, better known at the present time in the wild history of the frontier as- 
" Calamity Jane. ' Amid the fire of the attack, she seized the '.ines, and, whipping up the team, 
safely brought the coach to her destination. 

When "Buffalo Bill" returned from his scout with Gen. Crook, in 1876, he rode in this 
self-same stage, bringing with him the scalps of several of the Indians whom he had met. When 
afterward he learned that it had been attacked and abandoned, and was lying neglected on the 
plains, he organized a party, and, starting on the trail, rescued and brought the vehicle into camp. 
'^ With the sentiment that attaches to a man whose life has been identified with the excite- 
ment of the Far West, the scout has now secured the coach from Col. Voorhees, the manager of 
the Black Hills stage line, and hereafter it will play a differert role in its history from that of 
inviting murder and being the tomb of its passengers. And yet the "Deadwood Coach" will 



25 

play no small part in the entertainment that has been organized by "Buffalo Bill" and partner 
for the purpose of representing some of the most startling realities of Western life, in a vivid 
representation of one of the Indian and road agents' combined attacks, 

THE COW-BOYS. 

Among the many features of the Wild West not the least attractive will be the advent in 
the East of a band of veritable"cow-boys,"a class without whose aid the great grazing pampas of the 
West would be valueless, and the Eastern necessities of the table, the tan-yard, and the factory 
would be meager. These will be the genuine cattle-herders of a reputable trade, and not the 
later misnomers of "the road," who, in assuming an honored title, have tarnished it in the East, 
while being in fact the cow-boys' greatest foe, the thieving, criminal "rustler." To Wilkes' Spirit 
of March, the editor is indebted for a just tribute and description of the American ranchman: — 

"The Cow-Boy. — The cowboy! How often spoken of, how falsely imagined, how greatly 
despised (where not known), how little understood! I've been there considerable. How sneer- 
ingly referred to, and how little appreciated, although his title has been gained by the possession 
of many of the noblest qualities that form the romantic hero of the poet, novelist, and historian; 
the plainsman and the scout. What a school it has been for the latter! As 'tall oaks from little 
acorns grow,' the cow-boy serves a purpose, and often develops into the most celebrated ranch- 
man, guide, cattle-king, Indian-fighter, and dashing ranger. How old Sam Houston loved them, 
how the Mexicans hated them, how Davy Crockett admired them, how the Comanches feared 
them, and how much you 'beef-eaters' of the rest of the country owe to them, is a large-sized 
conundrum. Composed of many 'to the manner born,' but recruited largely from Eastern young 
men they were taught at school to admire the deceased little George, in exploring adventares, 
and, though not equaling him in the ' cherry-tree goodness,' were more disposed to kick against 
the bull-dozing of teachers, parents, and guardians. 




As the rebellious kid of old times filled a handkerchief (always a handkerchief, I believe) 
with his all, and followed the trail of his idol, Columbus, and became a sailor bold, the more am- 
bitious and adventurous youngster of later days freezes on to a double-barreled pistol and steers 
for the bald prairie to seek fortune and experience. If he don't get his system full it's only because 
the young man weakens, takes a back seat, or fails to become a Texas cow-boy. If his Sundav 
school ma'am has not impressed him thoroughly with the chapter about our friend Job, he may 
at first be astonished, but he'll soon learn the patience of the old hero, and think he pegged out 
a little too soon to take itall in. As there are generally openings, likely young fellows can enter, 
and not fail to be put through. If he is a stayer, youth and size will be no disadvantage for his 
start in, as certain lines of the business are peculiarly adapted to the light young horsemen, and 
such are highly esteemed when they become thoroughbreds, and fully possessed of 'cow sense.' 

Now 'cow sense' in Texas implies a thorough knowledge of the business, and a natural 
instinct to divine every thought, trick, intention, want, habit, or desire of his drove, under any 
and all circumstances, A man might be brought up in the States swinging to a cow's tail, yet, 
taken to Texas, would be as useless as a last year's bird's nest with the bottom punched out 



26 

The boys grow ola soon, and the old cattle-men seem to grow young; thus it is that the name is 
applied to all who follow the trade. The boys are divided into range-workers and branders, road 
drivers and herders, trail-guides and bosses. 

"As the railroads have now put an end to the old-time trips, I will have to go back a few 
years to give a proper estimate of the duties and dangers, delights and joys, trials and troubles, 
when off the ranch. The ranch itself and the cattle trade in the State still flourish in their old- 
time glory, but are being slowly encroached upon by the modern improvements that will, in 
course of time, wipe out the necessity of his day, the typical subject of my sketch. Before being 
counted in and fully indorsed, the candidate has had to become an expert horseman, and test the 
many eccentricities of the stubborn mustang; enjoy the beauties, learn to catch, throw, fondle — 
oh! yes, gently fondle (but not from behind) — and ride the 'docile' little Spanish-American plug, 
an amusing experience in itself, in which you are taught all the mysteries of rear and tear, stop 
and drop, lay and roll, kick and bite, on and off, under and over, heads and tails, hand springs, 
triple somersaults, standing on your head, diving, flip flaps, getting left (horse leaving you fifteen 
miles from camp — Indians in the neighborhood, etc.), and all the funny business included in the 
familiar term of 'bucking;' then learn to handle a rope, catch a calf, stop a crazy cow, throw a 
beef steer, play with a wild bull, lasso an untamed mustang, and daily endure the dangers of a 
Spanish matador, with a little Indian scrape thrown in, and if there is anything left of you they'll 
christen it a first-class cow-boy. Now his troubles begin (I have been worn to a frizzled end 
many times before I began); but after this he will learn to enjoy them — after they are over. 



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"As the general trade on the range has often been described, I'll simply refer to a few 
incidents of a trip over the plains to the cattle markets of the North, through the wild and 
unsettled portions of the Territories, varying in distance from fifteen hundred to two thousand 
miles — time, three to six months — extending through the Indian Territory and Kansas to 
Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and sometimes as far as California. 
Immense herds, as high as thirty thousand or more in number, are moved by single owners, but 
are driven in bands of from one to three thousand, which, when under way, are designated 
'herds.' Each of these has from ten to fifteen men, with a wagon driver and cook, and the 
'kingpin of the outfit,' the boss, with a supply of two or three ponies to a man, an ox team, and 
blankets; also jerked beef and corn meal— the staple food. They are also furnished with 
mavericks or 'doubtless-owned' yearlings for the fresh meat supply. After getting fully under 
way, and the cattle broke in, from ten to fifteen miles a day is the average, and everything is 
plain sailing in fair weather. As night comes on, the cattle are rounded up in a small compass, 
and held until they lie down, when two men are left on watch, riding round and round them in 
opposite directions, singing or whistling all the time, for two hours, that being the length of each 
watch. The singing is absolutely necessary, as it seems to soothe the fears of the cattle, scares 
away the wolves or other varmints that may be prowling around, and prevents them from hearing 
any other ac<iidental sound, or dreaming of their old homes, and if stopped would, in all 



27 

probability, be the signal for a general stampede. ' Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,' 
if a cow-boy's compulsory bawling out lines of his own composition : 

Lay nicely now, cattle, don't heed any rattle. 

But quietly rest until morn ; 
For if you skedaddle, we'll jump in the saddle. 

And head you as sure as you're born. 

can be considered such. 

Some poet may yet make a hit 

On the odds and ends of cowboys' wit. 

"But on nights when ' Old Prob ' goes on a spree, leaves the bung out of his water-barrel 
above, prowls around with his flash-box, raising a breeze, whispering in tones of thunder, and 
the cow boy's voice, like the rest of the outfit, is drowned out, steer clear, and prepare for action. 
If them quadrupeds don't go insane, turn tail to the storm, and strike out for civil and religious 
liberty, then I don't know what 'strike out' means. Ordinarily so clumsy and stupid-looking, 
a thousand beef steers can rise like a flock of quail on the roof of an exploding powder mill, and 
will scud away like a tumble weed before a high wind, with a noise like a receding earthquake. 
Then comes fun and froUic for the boys ! 

"Talk of ' Sheridan's ride, twenty miles away!' That was in the daytime, but this is the 
cow-boy's ride with Texas five hundred miles away, and them steers steering straight for home ; 
night time, darker than the word means, hog wallows, prairie dog, wolf and badger holes, 
ravines and precipices ahead, and if you do your duty, three thousand stampeding steers behind. 
If your horse don't swap ends, and you hang to them until daylight, you can bless your lucky 
stars. Many have passed in their checks at this game. The remembrance of the few that were 
foot loose on the Bowery a few years ago will give an approxirr.ate idea of the three thousand 
raving bovines on the war path. As they tear through the storm at one flash of lightning, they 
look all tails, and at the next flash all horns If Napoleon had had a herd at Sedan, headed in 
the right direction, he would have driven old Billy across the Rhine. 

" The next great trouble is in crossing streams, which are invariably high in the driving 
season. When cattle strike swimming water they generally try to turn back, which eventuates 
in their 'milling,' that is, swimming in a circle, and, if allowed to continue, would result in the 
drowning of many. There the daring herder must leave his pony, doff his togs, scramble over 
their backs and horns to scatter them, and with whoops and yells, splashing, dashing, and didoes 
in the water, scare them to the opposite bank. This is not always done in a moment, for a steer 
is no fool of a swimmer ; I have seen one hold his own for six hours in the Gulf after having 
jumped overboard. As some of the streams are very rapid, and a quarter to half-a mile wide, 
considerable drifting is done. Then the naked herder has plenty of amusement in the hot sun, 
fighting green-head flies and mosquitoes, and peeping around for Indians, until the rest of the 
lay-out is put over — not an easy job. A temporary boat has to be made of the wagon- box, by 
tacking the canvas cover over the bottom, with which the ammunition and grub is ferried across, 
and the running-gear and ponies are swum over afterward. Indian fights and horse thief troubles 
are part of the regular rations. Mixing with other herds and cutting them out, again avoiding too 
much water at times, and hunting for a drop at others, belongs to the regular routine. 

"Buffalo chips for wood a great portion of the way (poor substitute in wet weather) and the 
avoiding of prairie fires later on, vary the monotony. In fact, it would fill a book to give a 
detailed account of a single trip, and it is no wonder the boys are hilarious when it ends, and, 
like the old toper, ' swears no more for me,' only to return and go through the mill again. 

" How many, though, never finish, but mark the trail with their silent graves ! no one can 
tell. But when Gabriel toots his horn, the ' Chisholm trail' will swarm with cowboys. 
' Howsomever, we'll all be thar,' let's hope for a happy trip, when we say to this planet, adios ! 

J. B. Omohundro (Texas Jack)." 

THE VAQUERO OF THE SOUTHWEST. 

Between the "cow-boy" and the "vaquero" there is only a slight line of demarcation. 
The one is usually an American, inured from boyhood to the excitements and hardships of his 
life, and the other represents in his blood the stock of the Mexican, or it may be of the half-breed. 

In their work, the methods of the two are similar ; and, to a certain extent, the same 
is true of their associations. Your genuine vaquero, however, is generally, when off duty, more 
of a dandy in the style and get-up of his attire than his careless and impetuous compeer. He 
is fond of gaudy clothes, and when you see him riding well mounted into a frontier town, the first 
thought of an Eastern man is, that a circus has broken loose in the neighborhood, and this is one 
of the performers. The familiar broad-rimmed sombrero covers his head; a rich jacket, embroidered 
by his sweetheart perhaps^ envelopes his shapely shoulders ; a sash of blue or red silk is wrapped 



28 

around his waist, from which protrude a pair of revolvers ; and buckskin trousers, slit from the 
knee to the foot, and ornamented with rows of brass or silver buttons, complete his attire, save 
that enormous spurs, with jingling pendants, are fastened to the boots, and announce in no 
uncertain sound the presence of the bcauidcal vaquero in full dress. 

His saddle is of the pure Mexican type, with high pommel, whereon hangs the inevitable 
lariat, which in his hands is almost as certain as a rifle shot. 

Ordinarily he is a peaceful young fellow, but when the whisky is present in undue 
proportions, he is a good individual to avoid. Like the cow-boy, he is brave, nimble, careless of 
his own life, and reckless, when occasion requires, of those of other people. At heart he is not 

bad. The dependence on himself which his 
calling demands, the dangers to which he 
is subjected while on duty, all compel a 
sturdy self-reliance, and he is not slow in 
exhibiting the fact that he possesses it 
in a sufficient degree at least for his own 
protection. True types of this peculiar 
class, seen nowhere else than on the plains, 
will be among the attractions of the show ; 
and the men will illustrate the methods of 
their lives in connection with the pursuit 
and catching of animals, together with the 
superb horsemanship that is characteristic 
of their trainmg. 

ON A MUSTANG. 
By the Editor of " Texas Siftings." 
The majority of Texas ponies buck, or 
pitch, as it is sometimes termed, whenever 
circumstances seem to demand an exhibition 
of this facetious break, or the condition of 
things seems to justify the sportive caprice. 
In fact, some ponies will buck for hours, only 

stopping to get breath for a fresh start. This kind is recommended for the use of dyspeptics and 

invalids suffering from torpidity of liver. 

A pitching mustang, when working on 

full time and strictly devoting his atten- 
tion to business, is the most moving 

sight I ever beheld. His spine seems 

to be of whalebone, and he appears 

to possess all the elements of a steam- 
boat explosion, a high-pressure pile- 
driver, an earthquake, in addition to 

the enthusiasm of a county conven- 
tion. We were glad to find that ours 

were not bucking ponies, and we 

congratulated each other on the 

fortunate circumstance. Of course, 

as we argued, if there had been any 

buck in them it would have developed 

itself at an early stage in the journey. 

Understand, we were not afraid. I 

named my pony " Deliberation;" the 

name seemed so appropriate — no pomp 

or circumstance about him — and he 

was 30 gentle and tranquil ; nothing 

seemed to flurry him. You could 

throw the reins on his neck and strike 

a match on the pommel of the saddle. 

I say you could do this, but the after 

fate of that match would be of no 

moment to you ; you would be other- 





wise engaged. I regret to say that I tried the experiment. I lighted a match — at least I think I did 
— but there was a haziness about the subsequent proceedings that prevents accuracy of statement. 
I distinctly remember strilcing the match. At that moment, however, I was fluently propelled 
upward; a tornado caught me — whirled me around eleven times. As I came down a pile-driver 
drove me in the stomach, and I came to earth with that sensation (only intensified) that a man 
feels who sits down in what he imagines to be a high chair, and which he afterward thinks 
was about seven feet lower than his estimate. I saw whole milky ways of constellations that 
never before existed. I realized for the first time the dense solidity of the earth, and made 
the astonishing discovery that under certain circumstances our planet, instead of revolving on its 
own axis once in every twenty-four hours, can rush around at the rate of at least one 
hundred revolutions a minute. There is not in the whole range of languages, ancient, modern, or 
profane, terms sufficiently expressive to describe the state of my feelings, the amount of mud on 
my person, or the chaotie condition of my brain. As soon as the earth settled down to the usual 
speed of her diurnal motion, I came to the conclusion that it was not always best to judge by 
appearances. I had been hasty in bestowing a distinctive cognomen on my erratic steed. He had 
no more deliberation in him than has a fugitive flea under the searching scrutiny of a determined 
woman. I re-named him. This time I called him " Delay," because delay is — but it does not matter. 

Come to think of it since, the reason was weak. If, however, the reader should pierce the 
intricate labyrinth of mental ingenuity that constitutes the conundrum, I trust he will be charitable 
enough to consider the circumstances connected with its perpetration. 

There are times that try men's souls. There are seasons in every Christian's life when he 
wishes he was not a church member for just about five minutes, that he might have a chance to 
do justice to the surroundings. Such to me was the trying moment when I gathered my bruised 
remains together, and, looking around, saw the festive "Delay" quietly eating grass, while a 
little distance off sat the doctor on his pony, complacently whistling, "Earth hath no sorrow that 
Heaven cannot heal," 

GENERAL-CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

Mr. Nate Salsbury. Rome, 30 March, 1890. 

Respected Sir: — 

The Roman papers report that Colonel Cody has engaged with Don Onorio Caetani 
Herzogs of Sermoneta, Prince of Teano, etc., etc., that he will to-morrow ride in the Exhibition of 
this town some of his untamed stallions. 

I send you, therefore, some of this gentleman's reference lists, also information as to his 
family and his horses, which may be of interest at this time. 

The great lordly family of the Cajetans is the oldest amongst the noble families of Rome. 
The Cajetans were once the lords over the entire Roman districts of Velletri (twenty-five miles 
south of Rome), near Fondi (on the Terracina side). 

They gave two Pontiffs to the Throne of St. Peter, Gelasius II. (11 18), and Boniface VII. 
(1294), and were the close allies of the Colonnas and the Orsinis, in their long contests with the 
Papacy in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. 

Their large estates were confiscated by Pope Alexander VI. (1492-1503), but were after- 
ward restored under another Pontiff. 

The present chief representative of the family is Don Onorio Caetani Herzog of Sermoneta, 
Prince of Teano, etc., etc. He is the son of the late Prince Michael Angelo Caetani, renowned 
for his studies and commentaries on the works of the poet Dante and his manifold services in the 
interests of Italian culture and art in general. 

The family residence in Rome is the Cajetan Palace, where the family pedigree and ar- 
chives are ke^/'. 

These ^enealogies and documents are the m.ost complete of all the great historic Raman 
families. Some of the branches of the pedigree are dated back into Cajetans of the ninth and 
tenth centuries. 

The small village of Cisterna, where the untamed stallions are kept, lies about thirty-one 
miles south of Rome; it is situated on the same line as the old Appian Way. The archccological 
and historic name of the village was "The Three Taverns," where the holy Apostle Paul (in the 
Book of Acts, chapter xviii. and 15th verse) arrived, and found some of his friends come to meet 
him, on his journey toward Rome. 

This ancient site, and the whole surrounding district, is still the property of the Cajetans. 

The Prince's horses, which will be chosen for this test from the Cisterna Campagna, are 
known in Rome as the Cajetan breed, and hold their own for the wildest and most unmanageable 
in the country. 



30 
It is said tliat this breed shows a local crossing with a Saracen breed (which was introduced 
into these parts by the Saracens in the Middle Ages), and also a touch of English full blood. 

Whole volumes of illustrious history might be supplied with reference to the Cajetan 
family and of their richly endowed estate; they have filled a spacious position in the annals of a 
thousand years. With sincere respect, (Signed), CHARLES M. WOOD, 

Vice-Consul of the United States of America at Rome, Italy. 

ROMAN WILD HORSES. 
Tamed by Cow-Boys. Ridden in Five Minutes. How "Buffalo Bill's" Cow-Boys Tame 

THE Roman Wild Horses. 
(Per the Commercial Cable to the " Herald.") Rome, 4TH March, 1890. 

All Rome was to-day astir over an attempt of "Buffalo Bill's" cow-boys with wild 
horses, which were provided for the occasion by the Prince of Sermoneta. 

Several days past the Roman authorities have been busy with the erection of specially-cut 
barriers for the purpose of keeping back the wild horses from the crowds. 

The animals are from the celebrated stud of the Prince of Sermoneta, and the Prince him- 
self declared that no cow-boy in the world could ride these horses. The cowboys laughed over 
this surmise, and then offered at least to undertake to mount one of them, if they might choose it. 

Every man, woman, and child expected that two or three people would be killed by this attempt. 

The anxiety and enthusiasm was great. Over 2,000 carriages were ranged round the field, 
and more than 20,000 people lined the spacious barriers. Lord Dufferin and many other 
Diplomatists were on the Terrace, and amongst Romans were presently seen the consort of the 
Prime Minister Crispi, the Prince of Torlonia, Madame Depretis, Princess Colonna, Gravina 
Antonelli, the Baroness Reugis, Princess Brancaccia, Grave Giannotti, and critics from amongst 
ihe highest aristocracy. In five minutes the horses were tamed. 

Two of the wild horses were driven without saddle or bridle in the Arena. " Buffalo 
Bill" gave out that they would be tamed. The brutes made springs into the air, darted hither 
and thither in all directions, and bent themselves into all sorts of shapes, but all in vain. 

In five minutes the cow-boys had caught the wild horses with the lasso, saddled, subdued, 
and bestrode them. Then the cow-boys rode them round the Arena, whilst the dense crowds of 

people applauded with delight. 

"BUFFALO BILL" IN VENICE. 
(By Telegraph, "New York Herald.") Venice, t6th April, 1890. 

"Buffalo Bill" and his "Wild West" have made a big show in Venice. This evening 
the directors have a special invitation on the Grand Canal, where the whole troupe will be shown. 
Colonel Cody is taken by the Venetian Prefect in his own private residence. No one can think 
them ordinary artists, after they have seen the gathering of different Indians in gondolas, or 
seen the wonderful sight which presents itself at the Venetian Palace, and in the little steamboats 
that ply between the Pier of St. Mark and the Ra Iway Station. 

Thousands of Venetians assembled yesterday at Verona, where the Company of the Munic- 
ipal Authorities of Justice have allowed the use of the Amphitheatre, or the so-called Arena, one 
of the most interesting structures of Italy, and nearly so with the Colosseum of Rome itself. 

45,000 persons can conveniently find sitting room in this Arena, and for standing room there 
is also extensive space. As His Royal Highness Victor Emanuel was on a visit here once, 60,000 
people were accommodated in it. It is, perhaps, interesting to know that this building is the largest 
in the world, although the "Wild West" Show quite filled it. 

The Amphitheatre (Arena) was built in the year 290 A. D., under Diocletian, and is known 
in Germany as the Home of the Dietrich of Bern. It is 106 feet high, 168 meters long, and 134 
meters broad (the Arena itself is 83 meters long, 48 meters broad), the circumference is 525 
meters. In the surrounding Amphitheatre (entering by the west side through Arch No. 5, admis- 
sion one franc, Sunday free), are five-and-forty rows of steps, 18 inches high, 26 inches broad, 
built of grey, or rather reddish yellow limestone, where nearly 20,000 spectators can find places, 
and where many more people can see by standing on the wooden benches behind them. From an 
inscription on the second story, it will be remembered that Napoleon I. visited this place in 1805. 
The restoration of the building was by recommendation of that Emperor. A wonderful view is 
obtained from the higher steps. 
THE WILD WEST AT THE VATICAN.— "Buffalo Bill's" Indians and Cow-boys at the 

Anniversary Ceremony of Leo XIII. 
New York Herald, March, 4, 1890.— (7^/-^?;// oitr Special Correspomient) Rome, March 3. 

One of the strangest spectacles ever seen within the venerable walls of the Vatican was 
the dramatic entry of "Buffalo Bill" at the head of his Indians and cow-boys this morning 



3X 

when the ecclesiastical and secular military court of the Holy See assembled to witness the 
twelfth annual thanksgiving of Leo XIII, for his coronation. In the midst of the splendid scene, 
crowded with the old Roman aristocracy, and surrounded by walls immortalized by Michael Angelo 
and Rafael, there suddt^'.iy appeared a host of savages in war paint, feathers and blankets, 
carrying tomahawks and k.iiv is. ^ 

A vast multitude surg:d in the great square before St. Peter's early in the morning to 
witness the arrival of the Americans. Before half-past nine o'clock the Ducal Hall, Royal Hall, 
and Sextine Chapel of the Vatican were packed with those who had influence enough to obtain 
admittance. Through the middle of the three audiences, the pathway was bordered with the 
brilliant uniforms of the Swiss Guards, Palatine Guards, Papal gendarmes and private cham- 
berlains. The sunlight fell upon lines of glittering steel, nodding plumes, golden chains, shim- 
mering robes of silk,, and all the blazing emblems of pontifical power and glory. 

THE WILD WEST MAKE THEIR ENTREE. 

Suddenly, a tail and chivalrous figure appeared at the entrance, and all eyes were turned 
toward him. It was Colonel W. F, Cody, " Buffalo Bill." With a sweep of his great som- 
brero, he saluted the chamberlains, and then strode between the guards with his partner, Mr. 
Nate Salsbury, by his side. 

"Rocky Bear" led the Sioux warriors, who brought up the rear. They were painted in 
every color that Indian imagination could devise. Every man carried something with which to 
make big medicine in the presence of the great medicine man sent by the Great Spirit. 

" Rocky Bear " rolled his eyes and folded his hands on his breast as he stepped on tiptoe 
through the glowing sea of color. His braves furtively eyed the halberds and two-handed swords 
of the Swiss Guards. 

The Indians and cowboys were ranged in the south corners of the Ducal Hall. Colonel 
Cody and Mr. Salsbury were escorted into the Sextine Chapel by chamberlains, where they were 
greeted by Miss Sherman, daughter of General Sherman. A Princess invited Colonel Cody to 
a place in the tribune of the Roman nobles. 

He stood facing the gorgeous Diplomatic Corps, surrounded by the Prince and Princess 
Borghesi, the Marquis Serlupi, Princess Bandini, Duchess di Grazioli, Prince and Princess 
Massimo, Prince and Princess Ruspoli, and all the ancient noble families of the city. 

THE papal blessing. 

When the Pope appeared in the sedia gestatoria, carried above the heads of his guards, 
preceded by the Knights of Malta and a procession of cardinals and archbishops, the cowboys 
bowed and so did the Indians. " Rocky Bear" knelt and made the sign of cross. The Pontiff leaned 
affectionately toward the rude groups and blessed them. He seemed to be touched by the sight. 

As the Papal train swept on, the Indians became excited, and a squaw fainted. They had 
been warned not to utter a sound, and were with difficulty restrained from whooping. The 
Pope looked at Colonel Cody intentJy as he passed, and the great scout and Indian fighter bent 
low as he received the Pontifical benediction. 

After the Thanksgiving Mass, with its grand choral accompaniment and now and then the 
sound of Leo XIII's voice, heard ringing through the chapel, the great audience poured out of 
the Vatican. 



A GREAT PONY-EXPRESS RIDE. 



While riding Pony- 
Express between Red 
Buttes and Three Cross- 
ings, seventy-six miles, 
Cody had a dangerous 
and lonely route, includ- 
ing crossing of the North 
Platte river, one-half 
mile wide, often much 
swollen and turbulent. 
An average of fifteen 
miles an hour had to be 
made, including changes 
of horses, detours for 
safety, and time for 
meals. 

On reachinji- Three 




**OLD CHARLIE — DIED AT SEA, 



Crossings, finding the 
rider on the next divi- 
sion, a route of eighty- 
six miles, had been killed 
during the night before, 
he made the extra trip on 
time. This round trip of 
three hundred and twen- 
ty-four miles, was made 
without a stop, except 
for meals and change of 
horses, one of the long- 
est and best-ridden 
pony - express journeys 
ever made. — BuclFs His- 
tory of the Plains. 



- f— -^- 




I f^ 








. - .^ ^- " '^^.H^avafe^f 



THE FIGHTING CHIEF, KICKING BEAR AND STAFF, CAMPAIGN 
PINE RIDGE. 



3« 

AMERICAN WILD WEST EXHIBITION. 

Editorial frofn the London ''Times:' NoiK i, 1887.— The American Exhibition, which 
has attracted all the town to West Brompton for the last few months, was brought 
yesterday to an appropriate and dignified close. A meeting of representative Englishmen and 

Americans was held, under 
the presidency of Lord 
Lome, in support of the 
movement for establishing a 
Court of Arbitration for the 
settlement of disputes be- 
tween this country and the 
United States. At first sight 
it might seem to be a far cry 
from the Wild West to an 
International Court. Yet the 
connection is not really very 
remote. Exhibitions of 
American products and 
scenesfrom the wilder phases 
of American life certainly 
tend in some degree at least 
to bring America nearer to 
England. They are partly 
cause and partly effect. They 
are the effect of increased 
and increasing intercourse 
between the two countries, 
and they tend to promote a 
still more intimate under- 
standing. The two things, 
the Exhibition and the Wild West Show, supplemented each other. Those who went to be 
amused (>ften staid to be instructed. The Wild West was irresistible. Colonel Cody suddenly 
found himself the hero of the London season. Notwithstanding his daily engagements and his 
punctual fulfillment of them, he found time to go everywhere, to see everything, and to be seen by 
all the world. All London contributed to his triumph, and now the close of his show is selected 
as the occasion for promoting a great international movement with Mr. Bright, Lord Granville, 
Lord Wolseley and Lord Lome for its sponsors. Civilization itself consents to march onward in 
the train of " Buffalo Bill" Colonel Cody can achieve no greater triumph than this, even 
if he some day realizes the design attributed to him of running the Wild West Show within the 
classic precincts of the Colosseum at Rome. 

This association of the cause of international arbitration with the fortunes of the American 
Wild West is not without its grotesque aspects. But it has a serious import, nevertheless. After 
all, the Americans and the English are one stock. Nothing that is American comes altogether 
amiss to an Englishman. We are apt to think that American life is not picturesque. We have been 
shown one of its most picturesque aspects. It is true that " Red Shirt " would be as unusual a 
phenomenon in Broadway as in Cheapside. But the Wild West for all that is racy of the American 
soil. We can easily imagine Wall Street for ourselves; we need to be shown the Cowboys of Colo- 
rado. Hence it is no paradox to say that Colonel Cody has done his oart in bringing America 
and England nearer together. 

"MAJOR" BURKE'S APPEAL for a Peaceful Solution of the Indian Trouble. 

[From "Washington Post."] 

Perhaps one of the most eloquent and effective pleas for a peaceful solution of the Indian 
trouble was that made by Major John M. Burke at the famous conference in the Ogalalla camp 
on the 17th of January, when negotiating for the Indians' surrender with Capt. Lee. The pro- 
ceedings, as reported for the Department, gives Major Burke's remarks as follows: 

" My friends, I came here on the invitation of many of my old Ogalalla friends who know 
me. I am happy to sit down among you to-day, because it is so much quieter than for some 
weeks. I do not come here in behalf of the Government or any society, but because I travel and 



33 

live with the Indians, and they are my friends for many years. When I first heard of this trouble, 
Gen. Cody ('Buffalo Bill') sent me to do what I could for you. I have been here eight or nine 
weeks — have listened, heard, and seen a great deal. From the first I saw no necessity for this 
trouble. A great deal of it came from a misunderstanding and the lack of confidence among the 
Indians as regards the intention of the Government. Our friend, Capt. Lee, does not carry arms, 
neither do I. While it looked like peace daily you were just like scared birds, ready to stampede 
at any time. I am going to Washington to see the great counsellors, and I want to be able to 
say that when 1 left all was peace, and that the Indians fully understood Gen. Miles' intention. 
I want you to place every confidence in him. When the earth loses something God sends some- 
thing else, and when God took your friend Gen. Crook he sent you Gen. Miles, who is now your 
benefactor. The foundation of all good in men is truth and honor. When a man has these 
foundations he has right, and can stand open-handed and talk for his rights. He needs no gun, 
which is dangerous and causes trouble. You have thousands of friends in the East. Gen. Miles 
and Capt. Lee can reach those friends. I have this confidence there will be no war on the 
part of Gen. Miles, if you give up your arms, because through military discipline he can control 
his men, as soldiers have no interest to shoot Indians. Tell your young men to be calm and have 
confidence in Gen. Miles who will see you through. But you must discipline and control your 
young men. Let every man who talks mean what he says, and not talk to evade the question. I, 
to show you what confidence I have in Gen. Miles that he will not fire upon you and your women 
and children when you are disarmed, I will promise to live in your camp until you have confi- 
dence that the white chief will see no harm come to you. I am glad to hear that some chiefs are 
going to Washington, and hope instead of ten, twenty or twenty-five will go. I will be there to 
see you, and may go with you. I will do all I can in my humble way for you. Let us all work 
for peace between the white men and the red — not for a moment, a day, a year, but for ever, 
for eternity." 

IMPROVED BY TRAVEL.— Chamberlain, S. D., December 13. 

The large number of Indians who have been abroad for the last few years with "Buffalo 
Bill's" Wild West show are doing some good work among the unruly Indians belonging to 
Rosebud and Pine Ridge agencies, and to their efforts as much as to any one thing can a preven- 
tion of an immediate outbreak among the red men be attri-buted. These Indians emphatically 
refused to listen to any proposition from the hostiles looking to their joining them, but have 
continued to act as peacemakers at all times since their return, and they are untiring in their 
efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement of the present difficulty. These Indians act in 
marked contrast to some of those educated, as many of the latter are among the hostiles. 

MAJOR BURKE. — He Talks on the Recent Troubles at Pine Ridge Agency. 

Major Burke, the widely and favorably known business manager of "Colonel Cody's" 
Wild West aggregation, spent Sunday in the city, having just returned from Pine Ridge agency. 
The Major spent from the first day until after the surrender at the seat of the Indian war and 
did more than any other civilian at the Agency in the interest of peace and a speedy settlement 
of the trouble. Indeed, he was the central figure at Pine Ridge among the civilians, and even 
among the officials was a much deferred-to character of acknowledged power with the troubled 
children of the hills and plains. 

"The Bees dispatches have so fully and accurately reported the situation," said the major, 
"and they keep up so nearly to the last hour each day that I really have nothing new to say. 
The army and Indians now have a perfect respect for each other, and I think this will continue, 
for a time at least. The whole matter should I think, be left to General Miles and the appro- 
priation committee of congress. I would not venture, as matters now stand, to predict how long 
we are to have this running peace. In fact, I scarcely think that any one feels like speaking for 
the future in the matter. As to the sending of chiefs to Washington, well that may and I hope 
will result advantageously. I have great faith in General Miles' judgment, and I think the presi- 
dent, the commissioner of Indian Affairs and congress will listen to them with much interest. 
We have had a very wild time at Pine Ridge, one of the most critical in all the history of Indian 
affairs, and with the whole country I fervently hope for a final settlement that will result in 
permanent peace." 

Major Burke left last night for North Platte. He will return here on Tuesday, and on 
Wednesday leave for Washington. He has great cause for congratulation on the manner in 
which those Indians whom he has taken over Europe have conducted themselves during the trying 
scenes just passed. At all times they were found earnest and patient advocates of peace and 



34 

obedience to law, as well as energetic scouts, police, peace commissioners and spies. — Cressy— 
War correspondent Omaha Bee. 

"BUFFALO BILL" VICTORIOUS.— The Sioux and Wild West Shows. 
Editorial from ^^New York Sun," Tuesday, March loth. 

The permission granted by the Interior Department to "Buffalo Bill" to engage loo 
Indians for his "Wild West Show" is a great victory for Bill. It is a more conspicuous success 
even than that which he achieved during the recent Pine Ridge campaign, when, as a brigadier 
general commanding the Nebraska State forces, he received a written acknowledgment of his 
services from Or..:. Miles. It has been accomplished, moreover, directly in the face of, for some 
unexplained reason, enormous obstacles which "Buffalo Bill" found in his path; and the skill 
and success with which he surmounted them are proportionately great. First he brought his 
braves from Europe to Washington to show the refining and ennobling influence which European 
travel had had upon them. Then when the Sioux troubles broke out, and threatened to wreck 
his plans, especially as it was charged that the complaints of some of his troop had aggravated 
the tribal discontent, he found in that very disaster his opportunity, and hastening to the scene, 
took care that none of his recent performers should be conspicuously hostile to the Government, 
but enlisted many on the side of the Government, doing splendid service. His next step was to 
procure recommendations from army ofificers, showing Secretary Noble the military wisdom of 
allowing some of the young restless Sioux braves to be taken away from the reservation, under 
his charge. The issue was then between "Buffalo Bill" and the Commissioner, and the former 
won. 

To the eminent patrons of the Wild West Show this great victory will be very welcome. 
And now the best thing for the Commissioner and the defeated objectors to do is to accept the first 
chance to scq. the show. They will probably enjoy the spectacle, and be proud of the professional 
progress of their wards. 

BUFFALO BILL'S INDIANS EXAMINED OFFICIALLY. -From Lincoln {Neb.) Journal. 

Pine Ridge Agency, S. D., (via Rushville, Neb.) Dec. 3. — [Special.] — Nothing farther has 
transpired to effect a change at Pine Ridge at this writing. All is quiet, but few reports of any 
kind arriving, and the general routine of camp life is the only variation, if it may be so called, 
of the monotony of life. Long trains of supplies and ammunition have been daily coming in from 
Rushville to this place. If anything is to be judged by the preparations being made one would 
suppose the army officers expected a long and severe campaign. 

Orders were received to-day by Agent Royer to examine "Buffalo Bill's" Indians, all of 
which are at this place, about fifty being on the police force and in the company of scouts sent to 
Lieutenant Taylor to Fort Robinson for duty there. All here were thoroughly examined by 
Agent Royer and Special Agent Cooper as to their pay, clothing, food and general welfare, and 
all spoke in the highest praise of Mr. Cody and his treatment of them while abroad. Not one 
had a complaint of any character to make. This is a pretty effectual denial of the various charges 
lodged against "Buffalo Bill" and his managers. — -W. F^ K. 

Macaulay's New Zealander. — The Last of the Mohicans. — The Last of the Buffalo. — 
From Manchester Courier, April, 1888. 
An addition which has just been made to the United States National Museum at 
Washington, affords important subsidiary evidence, if such were needed, of the unique interest 
attending the extraordinary exhibition at Manchester illustrative of the Wild West. Naturalists 
have not too soon become alive to the remarkable fact that those shaggy monarchs of the prairie, 
the ponderous buffalo tribe, are well nigh extinct. They have dwindled away before the exter- 
minating tread of the hunter and the march of the pioneer of civilization. The prairie no longer 
shakes beneath the impetuous advance of the mighty herd, and even individual specimens are 
becoming scarce. The representatives of the Smithsonian Museum in America therefore sent out 
an expedition into the West in search of what buffaloes there might be remaining, in order that 
the country might preserve some memento of the millions of those animals, which not many 
years ago roamed over the prairies. Twenty-five animals in all were captured, six of which have 
been arranged in a group for exhibition. One of the American papers describes this as the 
transference of a little bit of Montana — a small square patch from the wildest part of the Wild 
West — to the National Museum. The idea is one which is exactly applicable to Colonel W. F. 
Cody's collection, which is approaching its last days of residence among us. Those scenes rn 
which the primeval forest and the vast expanse of prairie are represented, with •\k and l»i0Oii 



35 
careering about, chased by the hunter and the scout, is a transference from the Wild West 
which, as we now learn, should be even more interesting to the naturalist than it is to either the 
artistic or the historical student. We leave out of view for the moment the ordinary spectator 
who goes only to be amused or entertained, independently of any instruction that may be 
afforded. These scenes, moreover, are all the more interesting to the ethnological student 
because of the association with them of the red men who have been indigenous to the prairies and 
their surroundings. The occupation of Uncas, like Othello's, is gone ; palatial buildings and 
busy streets have succeeded to the wigwam and the happy hunting grounds, and the successor 
of Fenimore Cooper may find his representative Indians, not where the hunting knife and 
tomahawk are needed, but in the arena of mimic battle and adventure. The Indian is going out 
with the buffalo ; mayhap we shall ere long see the last of his descendants, with the contem- 
plative gaze of Macaulay's New Zealander, sitting before the group in the Smithsonian Museum, 
looking upon the last representatives of the extinct buffalo, fixed in its prairie-like surroundings! 
These considerations of facts which force themselves upon the imagination, distinctly enhance 
the interest of those " pictures " from the Wild West, presented with such force and realism by 
the ruling genius, who, anent the purport of these reflections, is so appropriately named 
"Buffalo Bill." In the course of a very short time these pictures will permanently vanish from 
English soil, as they are to be produced in America soon, and it may be expected that those in 
arrears in information respecting them, and who appreciate as they deserve to be appreciated, their 
instructive features, will give to them a concentrated attention ere it is too late. 

EXPLICIT DENIAL of the VARIOUS CHARGES MADE AGAINST "BUFFALO BILL." 
[By the Commercial Cable to the Herald^ 
Herald Bureau, No. 49, Avenue de l'Opera, Paris, July 24, 1890. 
The Herald's European edition publishes to-day the following: 

Berlin, July 24, 1890. 
To THE Editor of the Herald: — The statements and general inference in the Herald 
about starvation and cruelty in the Wild West camp arc ridiculously untruthful, and unjust to 
Cody and Salsbury. I appeal to your sense of justice to fully deny the same. 

The Wild West is under the public eye daily, and in all the countries and cities visited, 
under rigid police and health inspection. Our cuisine is the same as in New York, Paris and 
London, and has challenged the admiration and astonishment of the citizens of every place visited 
for its quality and quantity. Our contracts and beef bills will bear witness as well as the United 
States Consrls and local officials, and thousands of others who have daily visited our camp. 

Our (...ide as well as our interest, lies in the good food and good health of our people. As 
regards the steerage passage, the steamships don't want to give cabin passage to Indians. 
Many a good white man has gone across the ocean in the steerage. Would that every white 
man in the world was as well fed, clothed and looked after as our red tourists of " Buffalo 
Bill's" Wild West. 

(Signed) JOHN M. BURKE. 
New York Herald. Berlin, July 24. 

We take great pleasure in stating that we visited the "Buffalo Bill" Wild West Show 
in Berlin, and have seen the Indians both in their tents and during the performance. 

They are certainly the best looking and apparently the best fed Indians we have ever seen. 
(Signed) W. H. EDWARDS. Consul General. 
(Signed) CHAS. H. JOHNSON, U. S. Consul at Hamburg. 
(Signed) C. COLEMAN, Sec. of Leg., Berlin. 

VALUE OF AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL DEMONSTRATED. 
Telegram to Paris Edition from N. Y. Herald, July 25. 
The friends of " Buffalo Bill " are delighted with the authoritative denial of the charge 
of cruelty to his Indians, cabled to the Herald this morning. It shows the value of an inter- 
national paper that stories wilder than the Wild West itself can be so promptly sat upon and refuted. 
His accusers have not yet produced that statement bearing out his charges, and it looks 
now as if their good nature and charity had been buncoed by the wily White Horse. 

Conshohocken, Pa., July 30, 1888. Messrs. Cody & Salsbury,— Dear Sirs: Having had 
every opportunity for five consecutive days and nights to inspect the discipline, and to study the 
effect of the general influence of your exhibition upon the Indians with you, I wish, by this note, 
to exjMress my gratification with it all I have seen tfee Indians learning promptness, regularity, 



36 

cleanliness in person and food, and also learning to do well the work for which they were 
employed , That anything in the shape of evil will not do, but must come up to a standard. 

I saw them learning to realize that they were not hired merely to receive their pay, or, if 
possible, to " boss " the job, and have their own way about it. Knowing that the brothers of 
many of these men have offered to take care of their families, stock and farms, while these go 
away to earn money to help all, I can but class your great exhibition as an industry which will 
benefit the Indians of Pine Ridge Reservation. Most respectfully yours, Jno. Robinson, 

Missionary Pine Ridge Agency, Dakota. 

COL. T. A. DODGE, U. S. A., re U. S. CAVALRY. 
Harper's Weekly, June, 1891. 

This able magazine has done effective work in the past years in faithfully illustrating the 
same subject that the Wild West is simplifying to the present generation by animated tableaux 
—thus aiding the permanent (character of the marvelously correct and imperishable illustrations 
of their artist, Fred Remington (and their contributors — notably Col. Dodge and Theo. Roosevelt), 
time enhancing the literary, artistic, and historical value of their work. Liberty has been taken to 
cull some information regarding the cavalry riders, with the addition by the compiler of last winter's 
remarkable Relief of Pine Ridge Ride, by Guy Henry's command, whose dark-skinned "Buffaloes" 
furnish a chapter to Western experience by having their feet " chilblained " and their thin faces 
sunburned (by old Sol's reflection from the snow) on the same day. Col. Dodge intelligently 
discourses on American riders, and relates the following cavalry trips : 

"Our Western cavalry is now the pattern of the cavalry of the future. Let us quote 
some isolated facts, quite apart from the civil war, to show that our cavalrymen on Indian service 
have stout hearts under their army blue as well as stout seats in the saddle, and earn 
credit for them both. Mention need not be made of the risk every scouting party or detachment 
runs of perishing in an Indian ambush, like Custer or Forsyth ; nor of frightful marches of 
many days with the thermometer at forty degrees below zero, like the command of Henry. 
Let us look at some good distance riding, for it is in this that our men excel. General Merritt, 
in 1879, rode with a battalion of the Fifth Cavalry to the relief of Payne, and covered one 
hundred and seventy miles from 11 a. m., October 2d, to 5:30 p. m., October 5th — two days and 
six hours — accompanied by a battalion of infantry in wagons, which much retarded the march. 
He arrived on the scene in good order, and ready for a fight. Single couriers had ridden in 
over the same distance from Thornburg's command during the previous two or three days in less 
than twenty-four hours. Captain F. S. Dodge marched his command on the same occasion 
eighty miles in sixteen hours. Lieutenant Wood, of the Fourth Cavalry, marched his troop 
seventy miles in twelve hours — 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. — and came in fresh ; and double that distance 
has been made from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. next day. In 1870 four men of Company H, First 
Cavalry, bore dispatches from Fort Harney to Fort Warner, one hundred and forty miles, over a 
bad road — twenty of it sand — with little and bad water, in twenty-two hours, eighteen and a half 
of which was actual marching time. The horses were in such good condition at the end of the ride, 
that after one day's rest the men started back, and made the home trip at the rate of sixty 
miles a day. In 1880, Lieutenant Robertson, First Cavalry, rode from Fort Lapwai to Fort 
Walla Walla, one hundred and two miles, over the snow, deep in places, in twenty-three and 
a half hours ; and starting next morning, rode back in two days. These are but a few out 
of scores of equal performances. The keen appreciation of pace and of the ability of the 
animals ridden in such feats is marked. Men who can do work like this and come in fresh, 
must be consummate horsemen. 

"Inconstant association with the cavalryman comes that most faithful servant — the only 
good Indian except a dead one — the Indian scout." To these can now be added the remarkable 
trip of Gen. Guy Henry's (Buffalo), Ninth Cavalry, last winter, to the relief of Pine Ridge after 
" Wounded Knee," over ninety-si?: ::uies in the night, a fight at daylight after arrival, a light 
breakfast— rush to the successful aid of the Seventh at " the Mission " afterward, and a return at 
night after two days almost continually in the saddle ; two severe fights, and not a sore back horse 
in the outfit. 

Such is the regular army of U. S., the nucleus of the Grand Army of Emergency, which is 
commanded by such experienced men as Generals Schofield, Howard, Gibbon, Brook, Wheaton, 
Henry, Ruger, Sumner, Forsyth, Carr, Merritt and the strategist of the late Indian war, General 
Nelson A. Miles. 



37 
A POSITION DIFFICULT TO ATTAIN.— A " Plains Celebrity."— A Title Imperishable. 
To gain great local and national fame as a "plains celebrity" in the days of old was not an 
easy task; rather one of the most competitive struggles that a young man could possibly engage 
in. The vast, comparatively unknown, even called Great American Desert of twenty-five and 
thirty years ago was peopled only by the descendants of the sturdy pioneers of the then Far 
West — Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, etc., born, raised, and used to 
hardships and danger, and attracted only the resolute, determined adventurers of the rest of the 
world, seeking an outlet for pent-up natures, imbued with love of daring "adventure. Hundreds 
of men achieved local, and great numbers national fame for the possession of every manly quality 
that goes to make up the romantic hero of that once dark and bloody ground. When it is 
brought to mind the work engaged in, the carving out of the advance paths for the more 
domestically inclined settler, of the dangers and excitements of hunting and trapping, of carrying 
dispatches, stage driving, freighting cargoes of immense value, guiding successfully the immense 
wagon trains, gold hunting, it is easy to conceive what a class of sturdy, adventurous young 
spirits entered the arena to struggle in a daily deadly dangerous game to win the "bubble 
reputation." When such an army of the best human material battled for supremacy, individual 
distinction gained by the unwritten law of unprejudiced popular promotion, possessed a value 
that made its acquirer a " plains celebrity," stamped indelibly with an honored title rarely 
possessed unless fairly, openly, and justly won — a prize so pure that its ownership, while 
envied, crowned the victor with the friendship, following and admiration of the contestants. 
Thus Boone, Crockett, Carson, Beal, Fremont, Cody, Bridger, Kinman, Hicock, Cosgrove, Com- 
stock, Frank North, and others, will live in the romance, the poetry, and history of their each 
distinctive work forever. The same spirit and circumstances have furnished journalists 
innumerable, who in the West imbibed the sterling qualities they afterward used to such effect. 
Notably Henry M. Stanley, who (in 1866) saw the rising sun of the young empire that stretches 
to the Rockies; General Greeley, of Arctic fame (now of signal service), and the equally 
scientific explorer, Lieut. Schwatka, passed their early career in the same school, and often fol- 
lowed "the trail" led by "Buffalo Bill"; Finerty (of the "Chicago Times"); " Modoc" Fox, 
and O'Kelly (of the " New York Herald"), 1876; while last year new blood among the scribblers 
was initiated to their baptism of fire by Harries (of "Washington Star"), McDonough ("New 
York World"), Bailey (of "Inter Ocean"), brave young Kelly (of the " Lincoln Journal "), 
Cressy (of the " Omaha Bee "), Seymour ("Chicago Herald"), and Allen (of the " New York 
Herp.ld "), present in the battle, who were honored by three cheers from " Old White Top" For- 
sythe, gallant 7th Cavalry, the day after the battle of "Wounded Knee," as they. went charging 
over Wolf Creek to what came near being a crimson day, to the fight "down at the Mission." 
That there are still "successors to every king" is assured by the manly scouts so prominent in 
last winter's rehearsal of past (hoped no more future) frontier dramas in such men as Frank 
Gruard, now the most celebrated of the present employed army scouts; of "Little Bat," true as 
steel, and active as the cougar; Philip Wells, Louis Shangrau, " Big Baptiste," and John 
Shangrau; while the friendly Indians furnish such grand material for any future necessity as 
"No Neck," Major "Sword," "Red Shirt," and " Yankton Charley." 



BILL CODY.— (By an Old Comrade.) 



You bet I know him, pardner, he 'aint no circus fraud, 
He's western bom and western bred, if he has been late abroad; 
I knew him in the days way back, beyond Missouri's flow, 
When the country round was nothing but a huge Wild Western Show. 
When the Injuns were as thick as fleas, and the man who ventured 

through 
The sand hills of Nebraska had to fight the hostile Sioux; 
These were hot times, I tell you; and we all remember still 
The days when Cody was a scout, and all the men knew Bill. 



I knew him first in Kansas, in the days of '68, 
When the Cheyennesand Arapahoes were wiping from the slate 
Old scores against the settlers, and when men who wore the blue, 
With shoulder straps and way up rank, were glad to be helped through 
By a bearer of dispatches, who knew each vale and hill 
From I akota down to Texas, and his other name was Bill. 



I mind me too of '76, the time when Cody took 
His scouts upon the Rosebud; along with General Crook; 
^Vhen C uster's Seventh rode to their death for lack of some such aide 
To tell them that the sneaking Sioux knew how to ambuscade;^ 
J saw Bill's fight with "Yellow Hand,'' you bet it was a "mill,''_ 
lie downed him well at thirty yards, and all the mem cheered Bill. 



They tell me that the women folk now take his word as laws, 
In them days laws were mighty skerce, and hardly passed with squaws. 
But many a hardy settler's wife and daughter used to rest 
More quietly because they knew of Cody's dauntless breast; 
Because they felt from Laramie way down to Old Fort Sill, 
Bill Cody was a trusted scout, and all their men knew Bill. 



I haven't seen him much of late, how does he bear his years? 
They say he's making ducats now from shows and not from "steers," 
He used to be a judge of "horns," when poured in a tin cup, 
And left the wine to tenderfeet, and men who felt |'way up.'' 
Perhaps he cracks a bottle now, perhaps he's had his fill. 
Who cares. Bill Cody was a srout, and all the world knows Bill. 



To see him in his trimralns, he can't hardly look the same, 
With laundered shirt and diamonds, as if "he run a game." 
He didn't wear biled linen then, or flash up diamond rings, 
Tht .'oyalties he dreamed of then were only pasteboard kings. 
But those who sat behind the Queens were apt to get their fill, 
In the days when Cody was a scout, and all the men knew Bill. 



Gridiron Club. 
Washington, D. C, Feb. 28th, 1891. 



WM. E. ANNIN, 

Lincoln (Neb.) Journat, 



38 

GHOST-DANCES IN THE WEST. 

Origin and Development of the Messiah Craze and the Ghost-Dance. 

Pine Ridge Reservation. — There have often happened, in the history of the human race, 
incidents that were regarded at the time as most trivial, bMt have later developed into such im- 
portant and serious questions as to engage the minds of many learned men in their solution. 

That there is some special reason for the series of frenzied dances and incantations 
which have been continued from time to time in remote portions of the Sioux reservations, no 

one will deny. It is scarcely probable that 
a people who own horses and cattle would 
suddenly, without the slightest warning, re- 
turn almost to a man to the execution of a 
dance which is so weird and peculiar, so 
superstitious and spirit-like, as to rival the 
far-famed Sun Dance. 

This special reason is found in the 
simple truths of Christianity as taught by a 
missionary in Utah, but which were distorted 
to conform with Indian mythology. It was 
when the medicine men and politicians in the 
nation began to enlarge upon the wrongs 
suffered at the hands of the whites, the scar- 
city of food, the presence of the military, 
that its general aspect was changed from a 
sacred rite to a warlike demonstration. 

The Indians located in the Dakotas 
have been in the habit of visiting the Utes 
and Arapahoes every summer for the purpose 
of trading and hunting en route. While the 
Sioux are unable to converse with these 
tribes, means of communication is possible 
through the medium of the sign-language, 
which is well understood by all Indians 
throughout the West. Keeps the Battle (Ki- 
cizapi Tawa) told me a few days ago that it 
was during the visit of the Pine Ridge Sioux 
last July that he first heard of the coming of 
the new Messiah. He related the following 
story: 

" Scarcely had my people reached the 
Ute village when we heard of a white preacher 
whom the Utes held in the highest esteem, 
who told a beautiful dream or vision of the 
coming of a great and good red man. This 
strange person was to set aright the wrongs 
of my people ; he could restore to us our 
game and hunting-grounds, was so powerful 
that every wish or word he gave utterance 
to became fulfilled. 

" His teachings had a strange effect 
upon the Utes, and, in obedience to the com- 
mands of this man, they began a Messiah 
Dance. My people did not pay much atten- 
tion to this dance at first, and it was not 
until we took our departure that the matter 
began to weigh heavily upon the minds of a 
number in the party. As we left the Ute 
camp the minister stood with uplifted hands and invoked the blessing of the Great Spirit upon 
us. He told us to look for the coming of the Saviour; and assured us that he would soon and 
unexpectedly arrive H^ further cautioned us to be watching and ready to accompany him to 



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ogallalla chiefs. 
pine ridge — SIOUX campaign, li 



39 

the bright and Happy Hunting Grounds, to be sorry for our sins, to institute a Messiah Dance 
among our people at Pine Ridge, and to keep up this dance until the Lord himself shall appear." 
When the Ghost or Messiah D^ance was first given on Pine Ridge Reservation by the Sioux 
who had been in Utah on a visit to the Ute Indians, there were many on-lookers. These became 
interested as the dance proceeded, for such was its influence upon a beholder that he felt an irre- 
sistible desire to join the circle. 

The largest camp of the dancers prior to the departure for the North was located upon 
Wounded Knee Creek. Other camps of considerable extent existed upon White Clay Creek, four 
miles from the agency headquarters, upon Porcupine and Medicine Root streams. Nearly five 
hundred persons were leaping up and down, or rolling upon the earth, at one time, in an enormous 

circle. The earth is packed as firm as a 
cemented cellar bottom, so rendered by the 
■thousands of feet that stamped furiously upon 
the surface, and for a space of three hundred 
and fifty feet in diameter there is not a vestige 
of grass, nor the indication of the smallest 
shrub. 

When the medicine men took the Ghost 
Dance under their charge one man was ap- 
pointed "High Priest," to have entire control 
of the ceremonies. His four assistants were 
likewise invested with power to start or stop 
the dance at will. They were given authority 
to punish any person who should refuse to 
obey their commands. 

While the priests are employed in their 
prayers, the squaws make a good-sized sweat- 
house. Poles are stuck.in the ground and the 
tops bent together and securely tied. These 
saplings are strong enough to bear the weight 
of several hundred pounds. Over the frame- 
work are heaped blankets and robes to such 
a thickness that no smoke or steam can pass 
from the interior. A fire is started in a hole 
in the ground several feet from the small 
entrance to the sweat-lodge, and twenty or 
thirty good-sized stones are placed therein to 
be heated. When these rocks have become 
sufiiciently hot, the young men who are to 
partake of the bath, strip with the exception 
of the breech clout, and crawl through the 
door. They seat themselves in a circle, with 
their feet toward the center and their backs 
against the sides of the lodge. The attendant 
shoves some of the hot stones inside, and the young men pour water from a hide bucket upon the 
little stone heap. Steam and vapor arise, completely filling the inclosure. The attendant has 
meanwhile covered the opening so that no air from the outside may penetrate. As the vapor 
condenses, the attendant thrusts more stones within, and thus the operation is continued as long as 
the youths can stand the confinement. The pipe is also smoked during the sweat. When the 
young men issue from their bath the perspiration is fairly streaming from every pore. If it is 
not cold weather they plunge into a pool in the creek near by, but if it be chilly they wrap 
blankets about their bodies. 

Several sweat-houses are erected in order to prepare the young men for the dance. When 
a good number of young men, say fifty or sixty, have thus prepared themselves, the high priest 
and his assistants come forward. The high priest wears eagle-feathers in his hair, and a short 
skirt reaches from his w^aist nearly to his knees. The assistants are dressed in a similar manner, 
but wear no ornaments other than the eagle feathers. The dancers wear no ornaments whatever 
and enter the circle without their blankets, many of them only wearing their ordinary clothes. 

That Indians should lay aside all ornaments and finery and dance without the trappings 
which they so dearly love, proves conclusively that some powerful religious influence is at work. 




"sitting bull. 
The celebrated Uncapapa Sioux Chief, killed in i8gi 




JOHN SHANGRAU. 

Government Scout, Guide apd Interprete 

in charge of the Military Hostages. 



40 

In their other dances, the Omaha, the Old Woman, the Sun, and War Dances, feathers and bangles, 

weapons, herbs or painted and plaited grasses, porcupine quills, horses' tails and bits of furskins, 

necklaces, bells, silver disks, etc., are worn in great pro- 
fusion. 

The candidates for "conversion" do not fast, as has 
been stated by several writers who have not thoroughly 
investigated the subject. After they have come forth from 
the sweat-house they are ready to enter the sacred circle. 
The high priest runs quickly from the village to the open 
space of ground, five or six hundred yards distant, and station- 
ing himself near the sacred tree, begins his chant as follows: 
" Hear, hear you all persons! 

"Come, hurry up and dance, and when you have finished 
running in the circle, tell these people what you have seen 
in the spirit land. 

" I myself have been in the spirit land, and have seen 
many strange and beautiful things, all of which the great 
Wakantanka rules over, and which my eyes tell me are good 
and true." 

As the speaker proceeds the men and women leave 
their tepees and crowd to the dance-ground. They form 
two or three circles, according to the number of persons 
who wish to participate, and, grasping hands with fingers 
interlocked ("Indian grip"), the circles begin to move 
around toward the left. They rub their palms in dust or 
sand to prevent slippmg, for it is considered unlucky for 
one to break connections. 

The sacred tree needs a few words of explanation. It 
is a nearly straight sapling thirty or forty feet high, trimmed 
of branches to a height of several feet. To the topmost 

twigs is attached a small white flag or canvas strip., supposed to be an emblem of purity, 

together with some of colors. The baset of the tree is wrapped with rushes and flags to a 

thickness of about five feet. Between the reeds the dancers from time to time thrust little gifts 

or peace-offerings. These offerings are supposed to allay the 

anger of the Great Spirit, and are given in perfectly good faith 

by the poor natives. They consist of small pieces of calico, bags 

of tobacco, or pipes. During the heat of excitement, those 

worshipers most deeply affected cut small particles of flesh from 

their arms, and thrust these, also, between the rushes of the 

holy tree. 

Henry Hunter (The Weasel "Itonkasan") informs me that 

after the dance had been running some days, the rushes covering 

the base of the tree were literally besmeared with human blood! 

As the circle moves toward the left, the priest and his assist- 
ants cry out loudly for the dancers to stop a moment. As they 

pause he raises his hand toward the west, and, upon all the people 

acting similarly, begins the following remarkable prayer: 

"Great Spirit, look at us now. Grandfather and Grandmother 

have come. All these good people are going to see Wakantanka, 

but they will be brought safely back to earth. Everything that 

is good you will see there, and you can have these things by going 

there. All things that you hear there will be holy and true, and 

when you return you can tell your friends how spiritual it is." 

As he prays, the dancers cry aloud with all the fervor of 

religious fanatics. They moan and sob, many of them exclaiming: 

"Great Father, I want you to have pity upon me." 

One can scarcely imagine the terrible earnestness of these "thhimmv pttuu-tt ^to MT.r-i,' " 

1 /-- 1- i> ,.1 n 2.\ TT •. 1 o^ ^ T-v . Ai- 11 JOHTmNY BURkE NO NECK. 

people. George E. Bartlett, the United States Deputy Marshal ^ ^ , t, , ^. , , . „, 

of thisdistric. and Mr. Sweeney, one of the Agency schooUeachers, ^""f^'H^^^HSL^:"''' 

the chief herder, Mr. John Darr, and others, have mformed me Big Foot's Band. 




41 

that during their exterided experience on the Agency, of many years' duration, they have witnessed 
many of these dances. They describe the scene of the dance, especially at night, as most weird 
and ghostlike. The fires are very large, and shed a bright reflection all around. The breasts 
of the worshipers heave with emotion; they groan and cry as if they were suffering great agony, 
and as the priest begs them to ask great Wakantanka to forgive their sins, such a cry of despair 
and anguish arises as to deeply affect even the whites present. Bartlett said that, in his opinion, 
men could not be more in dead earnest nor pray harder than did these poor children of the plains. 
After prayer and weeping, and offerings have been made to the sacred pole, the dance is 
started again. The dancers go rather slowly at first, and as the priests in the center begm to shout 
and leap about, the dancers partake of the enthusiasm. Instead of moving with a regular step, 
each person jumps backward and forward, up and down, as hard as he or she can without relin- 



quishing their hold upon their neighbor's hand, 
some staggering like drunken men, others wildly 
rushing here and there, almost bereft of reason. 
Many fall upon the earth to writhe about as if 
possessed of demons, while blinded women throw 
their clothes over their heads and run through 
brush or against trees. The priests are kept 
busy waving eagle-feathers in the faces of the 
most violent worshipers. The feather is con- 
sidered sacred, and its use, together with the 
mesmeric glance and motion of the priest, soon 
causes the victim to fall into a trance or deep 
sleep. Whether this sleep is real or feigned the 
writer does not pretend to say, but sufficiently 
deep is it that whites visiting the dance have 
been unable to rouse the sleepers by jest or blow. 

Unquestionably the priests exercise an in- 
fluence over the more susceptible of the dancers 
akin to hypnotism. One of the young men, who 
danced in the ghost circle twenty times, told me 
that the priest: 

" Looked very hard at us. Some of the 
young men and women could not withstand his 
snake-like gaze, and did whatever he told them." 

If this does not describe the manner in 
which a "professor" of mesmerism influences 
his pupils, nothing can. 

Regarding what is seen by the converts 
when in the spirit land there is much speculation. 
I have secured interviews with three prominent 
chiefs touching upon this matter, and before 
relating what they told me I wish to call especial 
attention to the strong resemblance of their 
visions to the teachings of the Saviour in the 
New Testament. 

"When I fell in the trance a great and grand 



One by one the dancers fall out of the ranks, 




CHIEF " NO NECK. 

Ogallalla Sioux. Famous Warrior. A Friendly. A Leading 
Government Scout in Last Campaign. 



eagle came and carried me over a great hill, where there was a village such as we used to have 
before the whites came into the country. The tepees were all of buffalo hides, and we made use 
of the bow and arrow, there being nothing of white man's manufacture in the beautiful land. 
Nor were any whites permitted to live there. The broad and fertile lands stretched in every 
direction, and were most pleasing to my eyes. 

"I was taken into the presence of the great Messiah, and he spoke to me these words: 
"My child, I am glad to see you. Do you want to see your children and relations who are 
dead?' 

"I replied: 'Yes, I would like to see my relations who have been dead a long time.' The 
God then called my friends to come up to where I was. They appeared riding the finest horses 
I ever saw, dressed in superb and most brilliant garments, and seeming very happy. As they 
approached, I recognized the playmates of my childhood, and I ran forward to embrace them while 
the tears of joy ran down my cheeks. 



44 



„,__ 


--.-•w-is*:!^ 


r^^ 


^' "M 


F <^, « 






^^^ 


1^ 


.* ' 




t«« 


^. 1 . 1 








*»;•■-] 








!!•■• 


i 


HHE, .^^^ yg-^p 






I^hHI^ .' .- .-JBm ^"^ ^HKl.^'. 






^^^^IHHiHMmMl^Hf! -^ i^^HMji^'f 










'■• 



I 



Indian Girl. 



"LITTLE EMMA. 
Daughter of the Ogallalla Chief, 



'Lone Wolf. 



"We all went together to another village, 
where there were very large lodges of buffalo 
hide, and there held a long talk with the great 
\\'akant.anka. Then he had some squaws 
l)repare us a meal of many herbs, meat, and 
wild fruits and 'wasna' (pounded beef and 
choke-berries). After we had eaten, the Great 
Spirit prayed for our people upon the earth, 
and then we all took a smoke out of a fine 
pipe ornamented with the most beautiful 
feathers and porcupine quills. Then we left 
the city and looked into a great valley where 
there were thousands of buffalo, deer, and elk 
feeding. 

"After seeing the valley, we returned to 
the city, the Great Spirit speaking meanwhile. 
He told me that the earth was now ^d-^ and 
:,u7rn out ; that we needed a new dwelling- 
place where the rascally whites could not 
disturb us. He further instructed me to return 
to my people, the Sioux, and say to them that 
if they would be constant in the dance, and 
pay no attention to the whites, he would shortly 
come to their aid. If the high-priests would 
make for the dancers medicine-shirts and pray 
over them, no harm could come to the wearer; 
that the bullets of any whites that desired to 
stop the Messiah Dance would fall to the 
ground without doing any one harm, and the 
person firing such shot's would drop dead. 
He said that he had prepared a hole in the 
ground filled with hot water and fire for the 
reception of all white men and non-believers. 



With these parting words I was commanded to return to earth." 

The above story was related by Lone Wolf, as heard by him from a ghost dancer. It is a 
literal translation. 

Music of the Dance. — There are intermissions every hour in the progress of the dance, 
and during these pauses several pipes are passed around. Each smoker blows a cloud upward 
toward the supposed dwelling-place of the Messiah. He inhales deep draughts of the fragrant 
smoke of red willow-bark into his lungs, blows it out through his nose, and then passes the pipe to 
his neighbor. 

The songs are sung without accompaniment of a drum, as is customary in the other dances. 
All sing in unison, and the notes, although wild and peculiar, being in a minor key, do not lack 
melody. The Weasel (Itonkasan) has given me the following two songs as sung by his people 
during the dance. 

**: 



i 



f 



^ 



f-r^-^A-ttVi 



p 



i^^33^ 



J J 1 1 j 



i 



M: 



^ 



I=}EZ]S: 



^l-L,^,^jg^_L| 



The words sung in Sioux are: 

Ina he kuye misunkala ceya omaniye-e. Ina he kuye. Ate he lo. 

As translated by Deputy U. S. Marshal Bartlett, this is: 



Ate he lo. 



43 

Come here my mother; my younger brother is walking and crying. Come here my mother; 
here is the father, here is the father. 

Here are the notes of another song: 




i 



&«! 



^^ 



-=^— ST 



JT^^^ 



i 



-A 



S 



-^ -s^ 



^ 



3^^?^ 



Ate he ye lo. 



Ogallalla 
Craze, 



To this strain are used the words: 

Ate he ye lo, canupawan ci ci ca hu pi ca yani pi kta lo. Ate he ye lo. 

J Which in English are: 

gk This the father said, he brings the pipe* for you, and 

ML you will live. This the father said, this the father said. 

'97 I Just after the dancers "have been crying and moan- 

fy \ ing about their sins the priests strike up the first song, in 

- ' " which all join, singing with deafening loudness. Some 

man or woman may be at this moment at the tree, with his 
or her arms thrown about the rushes, sobbing as if the 
heart would break; or another may be walking and crying, 
wringing his hands, or going through some motion to 
indicate the deepest sorrow for his transgressions. So the 
singer cries aloud to his mother to be present and aid him. 
The appeal to the father refers, of course, to the Messiah, 
and its use in this connection is supposed to give emphasis 
to the demand for the mother's presence, and hasten her 
coming. 

The second song requires a longer explanation. It 
expresses in brief the goodness of the father. Some one of 
the dancers has come to life from the trance, and has just 
related his or her experience in the other world. The high- 
priest, enlarging upon the importance of tl^is fact, runs 
about the interior of the circle handing several pipes 
around, exclaiming that these pipes were received direct 
from the Great Spirit, and that all who smoke them will 
live. The people are worked up to such a pitch of religious 
frenzy that their minds are now willing to receive any utter- 
ance as truth indisputable, so they pass around the pipes, 
singing the song meanwhile. The repetition of the words, 
"This the father said," gives more weight to the song. 

The vision of Little Horse is still more remarkable. 
Through the Weasel he said: 

"Two holy eagles transported me to the Happy 
Hunting Grounds. They showed me the Great Messiah 
there, and as I looked upon his fair countenance I wept, 
for there were nail-prints in his hands and feet where the 
cruel whites had once fastened him to a laro;e cross There 
was a small wound in his side also, but as he kept himself 
covered with a beautiful mantle of feathers this wound only 
could be seen when he shifted his blanket] He insisted 
that we continue the dance and promised me that no 
whites should enter his city nor partake of the good things 




KICKING BEAR. 



Sioux, War Chief of the Messiah 
Fightingr Chief of Ghost Dancers. 



*The use of the pipe is ceremonial and holy. 




"Who, with 



lie had prepared for the Indians. The earth, 
he said, was now worn out and it should be 
re-peopled. 

"He had a long beard and long hair, 
and was the most handsome man I ever 
looked upon." 

Philanthropists, while meaning well, 
from a lack of knowledge of the nature of an 
Indian, treat him in such a sympathetic man- 
ner — often selecting the most worthless and 
lazy Indians to bestow their favors upon — 
that he becomes puffed up with his own im-^ 
portance. Egotism leads to insolence, and 
insolence gets him into serious trouble with 
the agency employes and Westerners in gen- 
eral. The churches are all doing a good 
work, and it is not my purpose to say much 
against them, but they should work in unison, 
not against each other. The Indian cannot 
understand how so many beliefs could spring 
from one good book, and, naturally suspicious, 
when he hears one missionary speak dispar- 
agingly of the salvation afforded by a rival 
church, concludes the whole set are humbugs. 

When the commission visited the 
agency in the summer of 1889, for the pur- 
pose of securing signatures to the treaty 
'Scatter," and "Revenge," were leading B aves with whereby the Sioux relinquished claim to sev- 
" Short Bull" and "Kicking Bea ." eral million acres of their land, a number of 



promises were made by the commissioners which 
were never kept. Not so with the Indians them- 
selves. As they sat about their tepee fires and dis- 
cussed the affairs of their nation, they often won- 
dered why the increase in rations did not come, why 
the presents were so long delayed. 

An Indian never forgets a promise. 

Can it be wondered, then, that the Sioux lost 
what little remaining faith they had in the whites ? 

As they brooded over their wrongs, the scar- 
city of rations, and miserable treatment, imagine 
with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who 
was to save and rescue them. How they hoped 
and prayed, only to be deluded and again cast into 
the depths of despair! Even this last boon and 
comfort was refused by their conquerors; for no 
sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached 
Washington when orders were issued to suppress 
the worship of any Indian who should dare to 
pray to his God after the dictates of his own con- 
science, or at least to stop the Ghost Dances. 



\The above is conderised from Illustrated Amer- 
ica, and is in many respects very accurate, but 
the conipiler gives it without comment, as the 
whole matter has yet to be im^estigated to get at 
bottom facts.—]. M. B. 




"SHO'.T BULL. 

Bru e Si ux — Leader of th Ghost Dancers, 'High 

Priest" of the "Messiah Craze." 



45 



THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INDIAN. 

A Legend.— Respectfully Dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, jd Cavalry U. S. A. 



There is a legend 'mong the plumed race, 
Which strange though be, their origin does trace 
To days primeval, when the mighty plan, 
With touch most wonderful was crowned with man. 

With air oracular it has been told 
By Chieftains, nature-wise, so very old, 
Who, solemn sworn, as were their fathers too. 
This wonderful tradition seal as true. 

It was the season when the sighing breeze 
Bestrewed the ground with Autumn-painted leaves — 
When Nature robed herself in rich array, 
Her vesture interwovr; with sad and gay. 

The buffalo, the elk and fallow deer 
In quiet grazed, with naught to harm or fear, 
For yet unborn the stealthy hunter foe, 
Unwrought the murd'rous flint and arched bow. 

Sublimity and grandeur did pervade 
The sun-tipped mountain-top and forest shade, 
As silence, most profound, with thoughtful train. 
The Universe spell-bound with magic chain. 

Lo, the Great Spirit gazed the scene upon 
And saw perfection in all things but one; 
There were the hills and dales, and seas and land, 
And landscapes everywhere supremely grand, 
And fish and fowl, and beast on mount and plain. 
But who t' enjoy and over all to reign? 

So from the border of a brooklet's way, 
Lo, the Great Spirit took a piece of clay, 
And with a touch and look both sad and sweet, 
Did mould it into form most exquisite. 

Then breathed He on this thing symmetrical formed. 
When lo, it into life and being warmed, 
And in the presence of its Maker stood, 
A female beauty— type of womanhood. 



Night came: the constellations bright. 
Shed o'er the earth their distant, twinkling light 
And through their mellow coruscated sheen 
Cast pearly tears upon this beauty-queen. 
Who, tired, reposed in quiet on the ground. 
With senses wrapped in balmy sleep profound. 

How passing lovely, how enchanting she, 
Pure, spotless as her own virginity. 
Like ''lily of the vale" or budding rose 
Upon the parent— Earth, in sweet repose. 

In semblance of a star was one above. 

Who, gazing on this beauty, fell in love. 

For who, or which, or what such charms could see 

And not be filled with love's own ecstacy.' 

And, as the story goes, this brilliant star 
Which did outshine the other ones by far. 
Assuming manly form, rushed from above. 
And clasped the maiden in th' embrace of love. 

This flaming star, or sprite, or man, or what, 
With fullest unrestraint and passions hot. 
Imprinted fiery kiss, again, again. 
Before she could her liberty regain. 



man-like flame, 
ve modesty, not shame 



The maid so courted by 

Blushed deep, through i 

These blushes overspread the virgin 

Were brazen by the wooer's ardent glow, 

And thus became enstamped indelibly, 

A signet royal of her modesty. 

From her — To-ka-pa* — that her cherished name. 
The red man of the Western Prairies came. 

G. C. C. 

* To-ka-pa (pronounced as if spelled To-kal -pah) is a word in the 
Teton dialogue of the Dakota or Sioux language, signifying Jirst- 
born. 



LATE MILITARY REFERENCES. 



During the last year much has been said relative to Cody, the Wild West, Indians, etc., 
of an uncalled-for nature, and as " an open confession is good for the soul," we freely admit 
being annoyed. Who likes their motives misconstrued ? Who can possibly believe it incom- 
patible with honor to go the even tenor of your inclinations, when none but the hypercritical 
can possibly find a flaw ? If it is correct that " he who preaches the gospel must live by the 
gospel," most certainly must he who has never held an interest in a Golconda live by that line of 
enterprise he finds most compatible to embark in if it be within the bounds of law, order and 
morality. Therefore- it is that this compilation is rendered necessarily pointedly personal in 
eulogistic extracts as a cross-counter, when a more modest presentation of the Wild West's 
status would be justly considered as meeting the requirements. But many noted instances occur 
to the writer where the purpose would have been best served by the plain statement of facts. 
The aim of existence is to achieve happiness, and nine-tenths of mankind would be happy if the 
other tenth would attend to their own business, or seek information before exploding. To 
explain a mooted question ! General Cody holds his commission in the National Guard of the 
United States (State of Nebraska), an honorable position, and as high as he can possibly attain. 
His connection with the Regular United States Army has covered a continuous period of fifteen 
years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in the most troublous era of that superb corp's 
Western history, as Guide, Scout, and Chief of Scouts — a position unknown in any other service. 
and for the confidential nature of which see General Dodge's extract on page 8. This privileged 
position, and the nature of its services in the past, may be more fully appreciated when it is 
understood that it commanded, beside horses, subsistence, and quarters, $io per day ($3,650 per 
year), all expenses, and for special service, or " life and death " volunteer missions, special 
rewards of from $100 to $500 for carrying a single dispatch, and brought its holder the confidence 
of Commanding Generals, the fraternal friendship of the Commissioned Officers, the idolization 
of the ranks, and the universal respect and consideration of the hardy pioneers and settlers 



of the West. ••Bill** Cody's children can point with pride to recorded services under the 
following officers of world-wide and national fame : 



General Smith 
King 
« Van Vliet 
" Anson Mills 
" Reynolds 
" Harney 
" Greeley 
" Sheridan 

Terry 
" Emory 
" Custer 
" Ord 
" Hancock 

The extracts on the following pages speak for themselves, 
as authenticated references: 



General 


Sherman 


" 


Miles 


(( 


Crook 


'< 


Carr 


«' 


Augur 


« 


Bankhead 


u 


Fry 


a 


Crittenden 


«■ 


Merritt 


u 


Switzer 


(( 


Tony Forsyth 


<' 


Duncan 


<( 


Rucker 



General Royall* 
" Penrose 
« Brisbin 
" Sandy Forsyth 
« Palmer 
•' Dudley 
•* Gibbon 
« Canby 
" Blunt 
" Hayes 
" Guy Henry 
" Hazen 
And others, 
and will form interesting reading 



FROM GEN. "PHIL" SHERIDAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

General Sheridan refers to his meeting "Buffalo Bill." " He undertakes a dangerous 
task," chapter xii, p. 281 — 289, in his autobiography, published in 1888. The world-renowned 
cavalry commander maintained continuous friendly relations with this old scout, even to social 
correspondence, friendly assistance, and recognition in his present enterprise up to the year of 
his death. After relating his conception of the first winter campaign against Indians on the then 
uninhabited and bleak plains, in the winter of 1868, he says, " The difficulties and hardships to be 
encountered had led several experienced officers of the army and some frontiersmen like old Jim 
Bridger, the famous scout and guide of earlier days, to discourage the project. Bridger even 
went so far as to come out from St. Louis to discourage the attempt. I decided to go in person, 
bent on showing the Indians that they were not secure from punishment because of inclement 
weather — an ally on which they had hitherto relied with much assurance. We started, and the 
very first night a blizzard struck us and carried away our tents. The gale was so violent that 
they could not be put up again ; the rain and snow drenched us to the skin. Shivering from wet 
and cold I took refuge under a wagon, and there spent such a miserable night that, when morning 
came, the gloomy predictions of old man Bndger and others rose up before me with greatly 
increased force. The difficulties were now fully realized, the blinding snow, mixed with sleet, the 
piercing wind, thermometer below zero — with green bushes only for fuel — occasioning intense 
suffering. Our numbers and companionship alone prevented us from being lost or perishing, a 
fate that stared in the face the frontiersmen, guides and scouts on their solitary missions. 

" An important matter had been to secure competent guides for the different columns of 
troops, for, as I have said, the section of country to be operated in 7ms comparatively unkfioivn. 

" In those days the railroad town of Hays City was filled with so-called * Indian Scouts,' 
whose common boast was of having slain scores of redskins, but the real scout — that is, a guide 
and trailer knowing the habits of the Indians— was very scarce, and it was hard to find anybody 
familiar with the country south of the Arkansas, where the campaign was to be made. Still, 
about the various military posts there was some good material to select from, and we managed 
to employ several men, who, from their experience on the plains in various capacities, or from 
natural instinct and aptitude, soon became excellent guides and and courageous and valuable scouts, 
some of them, indeed, gaining much distinction. Mr. William F. Cody (' Buffalo Bill '), whose 
renown has since become world-wide, was one of the men thus selected. He received his sobriquet 
from his marked success in killing buffaloes to supply fresh meat to the construction parties on the 
Kransas-Pacific Railway. He had lived from boyhood on the plains and passed every experience ; 
harder, hunter, pony express rider, stage driver, wagon master in the quartermaster's department, 
and scout of the army, and was first brought to my notice by distinguishing himself in bringing me an 
important dispatch from Fort Larned to Fort Hays, a distance of sixty-five miles, through a 
section infested with Indians. The dispatch informed me that the Indians near Larned were 
preparing to decamp, and this intelligence required that certain orders should be carried to Fort 
Dodge, ninety-five miles south of Hays. This too being a particularly dangerous route — several 
couriers having been killed on it — it was impossible to get one of the various " Petes," " Jacks," 
or '• Jims " hanging around Hays City to take my communication. Cody, learning of the strait I 



4t 
was in, manfully came to the rescue, and proposed to make the trip to Dodge, though he had just 
finished his long and perilous ride from Larned. I gratefully accepted his offer, and after short 
rest, he mounted a fresh horse and hastened on his journey, halting but once to rest on the way, 
and then only for an hour, the stop being made' at Coon Creek; where he got another mount from 
a troop of cavalry. A.t Dodge he took some sleep, and then continued on his own post — Fort 
Larned — with more dispatches. After resting at Larned, he was again in the saddle with tidings 
for me at Fort Hays, General Hazen sending him, this time, with word that the villages had fled 
to the south of the Arkansas. Thus, in all, Cody rode about 350 miles in less than sixty hours, 
and such an exhibition of endurance and courage at that time of the year, and in such weather, was 
more than enough to convince me that his services would be extremely valuable in the campaign, 
so I retained him at Fort Hays till the battalion of the Fifth Cavalry arrived, and then made him 
Chief of Scouts." 

Read through the fascinating book, " Campaigning with Crook (Major General George 
Crook, U. S. A.), and Stories of Army Life," due to the graphic and soldierly pen of Captain 
Charles King, of the U. S. Army ; published only last year (1890), 

Incidentally the author refers in various pages to Col. Cody as Scout, etc ., and testifies to 
the general esteem and affection in which " Buffalo Bill " is held by the army. 

The subjoined extracts from the book will give our readers an excellent idea of the military 
scout's calling and its dangers : 

" By Jove ! General," says " Buffalo Bill," sliding backward down the hill, " now's our 
chance. Let our party mount here out of sight, and we'll cut those fellows off. Come down every 
other man of you." 

Glancing behind me, I see Cody, Tait and " Chips," with five cavalrymen, eagerly bending 
forward in their saddles, grasping carbine and rifle, every eye bent upon me, watching for the 
signal. Not a man but myself knows how near they are. That's right, close in, you beggars ! 
Ten seconds more and you are on them ! A hundred and twenty-five yards — a hundred — ninety — 
" Now, lads; in with you." 

There's a rush, a wild ringing cheer ; then bang, bang, bang ! and in a cloud of dust, 
Cody and his men tumble in among them, " Buffalo Bill " closing on a superbly accoutred 
warrior. It is the work of a minute ; the Indian has fired and missed. Cody's bullet tears 
through the rider's leg into the pony's heart, and' they tumble in a confused heap on the prairie. 
The Cheyenne struggles to his feet for another shot, but Cody's second bullet hits the mark. It is 
now close quarters, knife to knife. After a hand to hand struggle, Cody wins, and the young 
chief "Yellow Hand," drops lifeless in his tracks after a hot fight. Bafiied and astounded, for 
once in a lifetime beaten at their own game, their project of joining "Sitting Bull" nipped in 
the bud, they take hurried flight. But our chief is satisfied — " Buffalo Bill " is radiant ; his 
are the honors of the day — From Page 35. 

"BUFFALO BILL" AND "BUFFALO CYilY'S>r— From Page \\i. 

In all these years of campaigning, the Fifth Cavalry has had varied and interesting expe- 
rience with a class of men of whom much has been written, and whose names, to readers of the 
dime novel and the Neiv York Weekly style of literature, were familiar as household words; I 
mean the " Scouts of the Prairie," as they have been christened. Many thousands of our citi- 
zens have been to see "Buffalo Bill's" thrilling representations of the scenes of his life of 
adventure. To such he needs no introduction, and throughout our cavalry he is better known 
than any general except Miles or Crook. 

A motley set they are as a class — these scouts; hard riding, hard swearing, hard drinking 
ordinarily, and not all were of unimpeachable veracity. But there was never a word of doubt 
or question in the Fifth when " Buffalo Bill " came up for discussion. He was chief of scouts 
in Kansas and Nebraska in the campaign of 1868-69, when the hostiles were so completely used 
up by General Carr. He remained with us as chief scout until the regiment was ordered to 
Arizona to take its turn at the Apaches in 187 1. Five years the regiment was kept among the 
rocks and deserts of that marvelous land of cactus and centipede; but when we came homeward 
across the continent and were ordered up to Cheyenne to take a hand in the Sioux war of 1876, 
the "Sitting Bull" campaign, the first addition to our ranks was "Buffalo Bill" himself, who 
sprang from the Union Pacific train at Cheyenne, and was speedily exchanging greetings with an 
eager group of his old comrades, reinstated as chief scouts. 

Of his services during the campaign that followed, di dozen articles might be written. One 
of the most thrilling incidents of our fight on the 17th of July with the Cheyenne Indians, 
on the War Bonnet, was when he killed the warrior " Yellow Hand," in as plucky a single com- 



48 
bat on both sides as is ever witnessed. The Fifth had a genuine affection for Bill; he was a 
tried and true comrade — one who for cool daring and judgment had no superior. He was a 
beautiful horseman, an unrivaled shot, and as a scout unequaled. We had tried them all — Hual- 
pais antl Tontos in Arizona; half-breeds on the great plains. We had followed Custer's old guide, 
" California Joe," in Dakota, met handsome Bill Hickox ("Wild Bill") in the Black Hills; 
trailed for weeks after Crook's favorite, Frank Gruard^ with " Little Bat " and " Big Bap- 
TiSTE," three good ones, all over the Big Horn and Powder River country; hunted Nez Perces 

with CosGROVE and his Shoshones 
among the Yellowstone moun- 
tains, and listened to Crawford's 
yarns and rhymes in many a biv- 
ouac in the Northwest. They 
were all noted men in their way, 
but Bill Cody was the paragon. 

This time it is not my pur- 
pose to write of him, but for him, 
of another whom I have not yet 
named. 

James White was his name; 
a man little known east of the 
Missouri, but on the plains he was 
"Buffalo Bill's" shadow. I 
had met him for the first time at 
the McPherson station in the 
Platte Valley, 1871, when he 
came to me with a horse, and the 
simple introduction that he was 
a friend of Cody's. Long after- 
ward we found how true and 
staunch a friend, for when Cody 
joined us at Cheyenne as chief 
scout, he brought White with him 
as assistant, and Bill's recom- 
mendation secured his immediate 
employment. 

On many a long day's march 
after that White rode by my side 
along the flanks of the column, 
and I got to know him well. A 
simpler-minded, a gentler front- 
iersman never lived. He was 
modesty and courtesy itself, con- 
spicuous mainly because of two 
or tkree unusual traits for his 
class — ke never drank, I never 
heard him swear, and no man ever 
heard him lie. 

1' or years he had been Cody's faithful follower, half servant, half "pardner." He was 
Bill's " Fidus Achates;" Bill was his adoration. They had been boys together, and the hero 
worship of extreme youth was simply intensified in the man. He copied Bill's dress, his gait, 
his carriage, his speech — everything he could copy; he let his long yellow hair fall low upon his 
shoulders in wistful imitation of Bill's glossy brown curls. He took more care of Bill's guns 
and horses than he did of his own. and so, when he finally claimed, one night at Laramie, the 
right to be known by some other title than simple Jim White — something descriptive, as it were, 
of his attachment for Cody, and lifelong devotion to his idol, "Buffalo Bill," a grim quarter- 
master (Morton of the Ninth Infantry) dubbed him "Buffalo Chips," and the name was a fix- 
ture. His story was a brief one after that episode. We launched out from Laramie on the 22d 
of June, and through all the vicissitudes of the campaign that followed, he was always near the 
Fifth. On the Yellowstone Cody was compelled to bid us a reluctant farewell to join General 
Terry. 




<i5 

A great ioss to us was *' Buffalo Bill." He left his " pardner," Jim White, with us Tl finish 
the campaign as scout; and we httle thought that those cwo sworn friends were meeting for u.o ia-t 
time on earth when "Buffalo Chips" bade good-bye to ** Buffalo Bill." ** Chips " remained 
in his capacity as scout, though he seemed sorely to miss his " pardner," 

It was just two weeks after that we struck the Sioux at Slim Buttes, something ot wiich I 
told you in a former cliaptcr. You may remember that the Fifth had ridden in haste to the • ciief of 
Major Mills, who had surprised the Indians away in our front early Saturday morning, had •.vi:i^,pe(l 
them in panicky confusion out of their "tepees " into the neighboring rocks, and then had to fight 
on the defensive against ugly odds until we rode in to the rescue. As the head of our 
column jogged in among the lodges, and General Carr directed us to keep on down to face the 
bluffs to the south, Mills pointed to a ravine opening out into the village, with the warning, 
"Look out for that gully; there are Indians hidden there, and they've knocked over some of my 
men." 

Everybody was too busy just then to pay much attention to two or three wounded Indians 
in a hole. We were sure of getting them when wanted. So, placing a couple of sentries where 
they could warn stragglers away from its front, we formed line along the soutli and west of the 
captured village, and got everything ready to resist the attack we knew they would soon make 
in full force. 

General Crook had arrived on the scene, and, while we were waiting for " Lo " to resume 
the offensive, some few scouts and packers, started in to have a little fun "rousting out them 
Injuns." Half a dozen soldiers got permission to go over and join in while the rest of us were 
hungrily huntino»about for something to eat. Tiie next thing, we heard a volley from the ravine, 
and saw the scouts and packers scattering for cover. One soldier held his ground — shot-dead. 
Another moment, and it became apparent that not one or two, but a dozen Indians were crouch- 
ing somewhere in that narrow gorge, and the move to get them out assumed proportions. Lieu- 
tenant Clark, of General Crook's staff, sprang into the entrance, carbine in hand, and a score of 
cavalrymen followed, while the scouts and others went cautiously along either bank, peering 
warily into the cave-like darkness at the head. A squad came tearing over, just as a 
second volley came from the concealed foe, and three more of our men dropped, bleeding, 
in tlieir tracks. Now our people were fairly aroused, and ofiticers and men by dozens 
hurried to the scene. The mist,y air rang with shots, and the chances looked bad for those 
redskins. Just at this moment, as I was running over from the western side, 1 caught sight 
of "Chips" on the opposite crest. All alone, he was cautiously making his way, on hands 
and knees, toward the head of the ravine, where he could look down upon the Indians beneath. 
As yet he was protected from their fire by the bank itself — his lean form distinctly outlined 
against the eastern sky. He reached a stunted tree that grew on the very edge of the gorge, 
and there he halted, brought his rifle close under his shoulder, in readiness to aim, and 
then raised himself slowly to his feet, lifting his head higher, higher, as he peered over. Suddenl\" 
a quick, eager light shone in his face, a sharp movement of his rifle, as though he were abbut to 
raise it to his shoulder, when, bang! — a puff of white smoke floated up from the head Qf the 
ravine, "Chips" sprang up convulsively in the air, clasping his hands to his breast, and widi one 
startled, agonizing cry, "Oh, my God, boys!" plunged heavily forward on his face, down the 
slope — shot through the heart. 

Two minutes more, what Indians were left alive were prisoners, and that costly experi- 
ment at an end. That evening, after the repulse of the grand attack of "Ro.man Nose" and 
"Stabber's" warriors, and, 'twas said, hundreds of "Crazv Horse's" band, we buried poor 
"Chips," with our other dead, in a deep ravine. "Wild Bill," "California Joe," Cosgrove, 
and "Texas Jack" have long since gone to their last account, but, among those who knew 
them, no scout was more universally mourned than "Buffalo Bill's" devoted friend, Jim 
White. 



THE SIOUX AND WILD WEST SHOWS. 

Editorial from the Nciv York Sun. 

The permission granted by the Interior De.jartment to Buffalo Bill to engage lOO 
Sioux Indians for his Wild West Show, is a great victory for Bill. It is a more conspicuous 
success even than that which he achieved during the recent Pine Ridge Campaign, when, as 
Briaradier General commanding the Nebi-aska State forces, he received a written acknowledgment of 



5* 

hi?.?.ervices ''rom Gen, Miles. It has been accomplished, moreover, directly in the face of enor- 
mous obstacles which Bui talo Bill fouiul in hib path ; and the skill and success with which he 
surmounted them are proportionately great. First he took some of his performing braves to 
A\'ashington to show the refining and ennobling influences which European travel had had upon 
them. Then, wdien the Sioux troubles broke out, and threatened to wreck his plans, especially 
as it was charged that the complaints of some of his troupe had aggravated the tribal discon- 
tent, he found in that very disaster his opportunity, and hastening to the scene, he took care that 
none of his recent performers should be conspicuously hostile to the Government. His next 
step was to procure recommendations from army officers, showing Secretary Noble the miU- 
tary wisdom of allowing some of the young, restless Sioux braves to be taken away from the 
reservation, under his charge. The issue was then between. Buffalo Bill and the Commis- 
sioner, and the former won. 

To the crowned heads of Europe and other eminent patrons of the Wild West Show 
this great victory will be very welcome. And now, the best thing for Commissioner Morgan 
and the Rev. Dr. Dorchester to do is to accept the first chance to see the show. They will 
l)robably enjoy the spectacle, and be proud of the professional progress of their wards. 

Chicago, Dec. 13. — R. P. Haslam, better known on the frontier as *'Pony Bob," being 
one of the hard riders who carried the overland mail before a railway was pushed through to the 
racilic coast, is in the city. He accompanied Colonel Cody on his recent trip from Standing 
Rock agency for the capture of Sitting Bull. Bob is in receipt of a letter from Colonel Codv 
expressing astonishment at the story that in his chase after Sitting Bill he wore a dress suit. 
Lieutenant Cr. W. Chadwick, who has been quoted as making such statements has also telegraphedl 
a denial, stating that the other interviews with himself were garbled and misconstrued. He says 
ill his telegram that Colonel Cody did his duty conscientiously, bravely, and well, according to 
the accounts which he has received of the trip. He says he was not detailed to accompany 
CloLONKL Cody, as stated in the interview, and that he never saw him till several days after 
Cody's return from the trip. — CJiicago Herald. 

AS "BUFFALO BILL" SEES IT. — He Thinks it Looks Like Peace in the Indian 

Country. 

'■^Buffalo Bill" telegraphs to the ^'New York Herald" from Pine Jiidge Ageney: 
"In the Field, Via Courier to Telegraph, Pine Ridge Agency, Dakota. 

" New York Herald: 

"Your request for my opinion of the Indian situation is by reason of the complications 
and the changeable nature of the red man's mind and action a puzzler. Every hour brings out.a 
new opinion. Indian history furnishes no similar situation. 

"You must imagine about 5,000 Indians, an unusual proportion warriors, better armed 
than ever known before, hemmed in a cordon about sixteen miles in diameter, composed of over 
3,000 troops, acting like a slowly closing drag net. This mass of Indians is now influenced by a 
percentage as despairingly desperate and fanatical as the late Big Foot party, under Short Bull 
and Kicking Bear, It contains also restrained neutrals, frightened and disaffected Ogallallas, 
hampered by the powerful Brules, backed by renegades and desperadoes from all other agencies. 
There are about twenty-five hundred acting and iDelieved to be friendly Indians in and around 
the Agency. 

"Such is the situation General Miles and the military confront. Any one of this undiscip- 
lined mass is able to precipitate a terrible conflict from the most unexpected quarter. Each of 
the component quantities is to be watched, to be measured, to be just to. In fact, it is a war 
with a most wily and savage people, yet the whites are restrained by a humane and peaceful 
desire to prevent bloodshed, and save a people from themselves. It is like cooling and calming a 
volcano. Ordinary warfare shows no parallel. General Miles seems to hold a firm grip on the 
situation. The Indians know him, express confidence in his honor, truth, and justice to them, 
and they fear his power and valor as-well. 

. "As the matter now stands, he and they should be allowed, untramineled even by a 
suggestion, to settle the affair, as no one not on the spot can appreciate the fearfully delicate 
position. The chaff must be sifted from the wheat, and in this instance the chaff must be 
threshed. 

"At the moment, so far as words go, I would say it will be peace, but the smoldering spark 
is visible that may precipitate a terrible conflict anv time in the next few days. However it ends, 



51 
more ahd prompt attention should be paid in the future to the Sioux Indian; his rights, his com- 
plaints, and even his necessities. Respect and consideration should also be shown for the gal- 
lant little army, for it is the Indian and soldier who pay the most costly price in the end. I 
think it looks like peace, and if so, the greater the victory. 

"W. F. Cody, * Buffalo Bill'." 



THE SITUATION IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY A MARVEL OF MILITARY STRATEGY. 

Col. W. F. Cody(" Buffalo Bill"') who is at Pine Ridge, telegraphs the following for the " New York Sun," 
which e.xpresses his views of the present critical situation: 

" The situation to-day, r.o far as military strategy goes, is one of the best marked triumphs known in the history 
of Indian campaigns. It speaks for itself, for the usual incidents to an Indian warfare, such as raids on settlers and 
wid^ spread devastation, have been wholly prevented. Only one white man has been killed outside the military circle. 
The presiding genius and his able aids have acted with all the cautious prowess of the hunter in surrounding and placing 
in a trap his dangerous game, at the same time recognizing the value of keeping the game imprisoned for future reasons. 
I speak, of course, of the campaign as originally intended to overawe and pacify the disaffected portion of the Ogallallas, 
Wassaohas, and Brules, the Big Foot affair at Wounded Knee Creek being an unlooked-for accident. 

Creditable to Gen. Miles' Reputation. 

" The situation to-day, with a desperate band corraled and the possibility of any individual fanatic running 
amuck is most critical, but the wise measure of holding them in a military wall, allowing them time to quiet down and Hsten 
to the assurances of such men as Young Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses, Rocky Bear, No Neck, and other progressive 
Indians, relieves the situation, so that, unless some accident happens, the military end of the active warfare seems a com- 
plete, final, and brilliant success, as creditable to Gen. Miles' reputation as it is to the humane and just side of his 
character, 

"Neither should praise be withheld from Gens. Brooke, Carr, Wheaton, Henry, Forsyth, and the other officers, and 
men of the gallant little army, who stood much privation. In every instance when I have heard them speak they have 
expressed great sympathy for their unhappy foe, and regrets for his impoverished and desperate condition. They and the 
thoughtful people here are now thinking about the future. In fact, the Government and nation are confronted by a 
problem of great importance as regards remedying the existing evils. 

" The larger portion of the Ogallalla Sioux have acted nobly in this affair, especially up to the time of the stamp- 
ede. The Wassaohas and Brules have laid waste the reservation of the Ogallallas, killed their cattle, shot their horses, 
pillaged their houses, burned their ranches; in fact, poor as the Ogallallas were before, the Brules have left them nothing 
but, the bare ground, a white sheet instead of a blanket, with winter at hand and the little accumulations of thirteen years 
swept away. This much, as well as race and tribal dissensions and personal enmity, have they incurred for standing by 
the Government. These people need as much sympathy and immediate assistance as any section of country when great 
calamities arouse the sympathy of the philanthropist and the Government. This is now the part of the situation that to 
me seems the most remarkable. Intelligent and quick legislation can now do more than the bullet. — CoL. William F. 
Cody ('Buffalo Bill')" 



MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES. 

The Messrs. Cody and Salsbury, in collecting various groups for their Congress of Rough 
Riders of the World, have arranged for recognized representative soldiers of the various nations 
of Europe, and to this end have to-day assembled in the arena a detachment of the First Garde- 
Uhlan Regiment of His Majesty William II., German Emperor. They are popularly known 
throughout Europe as the " Potsdamer Reds." England's army will be represented by a group 
of 1 2th Lancers ("Prince of Wales Own,") and France presents a detachment of Chasseurs a 
Cheval. These detachments are commanded respectively by Lieutenant von Richter, Sergeant- 
Major Mayfield, and Lieutenant Alexandre Bayard. They will present the various evolutions 
and exercises of their armies, and in due course will introduce on horseback tent-pegging, 
lemon-cutting, Turks-Head and sabre and lance exercises. 

The interest in this friendly meeting of representative cavalrymen will be added to by the 
presence of a detachment of our own National Soldiers (from the celebrated 6th U. S. Cavalry), 
who will act in consonance with the Director's idea to present an amicable study of the various 
military schools. These Veteran* of the Plains will enable our public to more fitly comprehend 
the training and ability of the little American Army — that is the nucleus of the cohorts that would 
assemble in time of danger to the Republic— practically an army in which three-fourths Of the 
privates would be able to do honor to shoulder straps in an emergency. The Arabs are the 
genuine Bedouin Soldiers of the Desert, that song, story and history have for ages celebrated, and 
their skill tlie writer will leave to the judgement of the auditor, as space prevents justice to this 
feature of our exhibition. 



state of Ncbras"ka 

* Executive Department. 

General W. p. Cody. 

Lincoln January 6th iSSil^ 
RushviUo. Nebraska. 

Wy Dear General . 

As you are a member of my Staff,! have doiailed you 

for special service; the particular nature of which, wa5 made known du^ 

-ing our conversation. 

You will proceed to the scene of the Indian troubles, aJid comniunr<« 
cate with General Miles. 

You will in addition to the special service refered to,pleaser 
visit the different towns, if tin^e permit ,alonc^ the line of the Elkho'tti 
Rail -Road, and use your influence to quiet excitement and remove appre- 
hensions upon the part of the people. 

Please call upon General Colby, and give hiiD your views as to the 
probability of tne Indians breaking through the cordon of regular troo- 
-ps ; your superior knowledge of Indian character and mode of warfare, 
may enable you to make suggestionsr of importance. 

All Officers and members of tho State Troops, and all others, will , 
please extend to you every courtesy. 

In testiniony wnereof 




im^<^^ 




|.£EAI>QUARTERS '^^IVISION OF THE fyUSSOURl. 
GhTcaGO, fLLINOlS. 
in the Fields Pine ?^idge, S.D., January 11,3391 

Br ig. General W. P« Cody, 

.Nebraska Uational. Guard, Present* 
sir:- 

I am glad to inform you that the entire body of Indians are 
now camped near here (within a mile and a half). They show every 
disposition to comply with the orders of the authorities* Nothing 
but an accident can prevent peace being re-established, and it 
v'ill be our ambition to make it of a permanent character^ I feel 
that the State, troops can now be withdrawn with safety, and desire 
through you to express to them my thanks for the confidence they 
have given your people in their isolated homes* 

Like information has this day been given General Colby* 

Very -respectfully yours. 




Major General Coraraandino 



54 
COSSACKS WITH THE WILD WEST. 

In pursuance of their intention to assemble together, at the World's Fair, a congress of the 
representative horsemen of the world, Messrs. Cody and Salsbury have had their agents in all 
parts of the earth, looking for rough riders who could compete with or excel the ongnial riders 
of the Wild West, the native product of America. In the Russian Cossack they found a horseman 
whose style was new, novel and striking, and one who could compete with the finest in the world. 
These Cossacks, in the picturesque garb of the Caucasus, form the latest acquisition of the 

^ —^ -^ Wild West. They are a 

troop of " Cossacks of 
the Caucasian Line," un- 
der the command of 
Prince Ivan Makhar- 
culze. 

The Prince and his 
comrades, it is interest- 
ing to the public to know, 
belong to the same 
branch of the great Cos 
sack family, the Zaporo- 
gians, immortalized by 
Byron's " M a z e p p a."' 
Mazeppa was the hetman 
or chief, of the Zaporo- 
gian community of the 
Cossacks of the Ukraine. 
When Byron's famous 
hero came to grief at the 
battle of Poltava, the 
Cossacks fled to the 
THE CAUCASUS. Crimea, then Turkish 

territory, to avoid the vengeance of Peter the Great. Subsequently they were deported to the 
Kuban, and settled along the river as military colonists, to defend the Russian frontier against 
the marauding tribes of the Caucasus. 

On this dangerous frontier the qualities of horsemanship that made the name of Mazeppa 
and his warlike followers household words throughout the whole of Europe, became still further 
developed in the following generations, so that the Kuban Cossacks quickly became, in many 
respects, the most remarkable riders in the world. 

On their lithe steppe horses, as fierce and active as themselves, they proved themselves 
more than worthy of their sires. During the heroic struggle of the Circassian mountaineers to 
maintain their independence against Russia, tlie sons of Mazeppa's Zaporogians were found to be 
the only Cossacks sufficiently skilful to cope with Schamyl's wild mountain horsemen on equal 
terms. The Don Cossacks were lancers, and the Circassians quickly learned to dodge within their 
guard, and cut them down, they being among the most expert swordsmen in the world. 

But the descendants of Mazeppa's Cossacks were equally expert with the sword, and so, in 
the matter of arms, as of horsemanship, met the enemy on equal terms. For many years the 
Cossacks of the Caucasian line were engaged in perpetual border warfare with the Circassian 
tribes. Their fighting was a series of little cavalry combats, surprises and raids, similar to the 
American Indian frontier M^ars, the finest school for the development of military horsemanship the 
world has seen since the days of Saladin and Coeur-de-Lion. Graduates from this fierce, wild 
school of saddle and sabre, the Cossacks of the Caucasian line have long enjoyed the reputation of 
being the flower of that vast horde of irregular cavalry, the Cossack military colonies, that have 
been planted along the southern frontier of the Russian Empire, from the Crimea to the Chinese 
border on the Pacific. 

Circassian blood plainly crops out in the Cossacks of the Buffalo Bill Wild West arena. 
Indeed, some of them look the Circassian, even more than the Cossack. The infusion of Circassian, 
Georgian and Mingrelian blood, began with stirring drama of strife and romance in the days of 
Schamyl. Part of the policy of Russia was the suppression of the trade in Circassian beauties for 
the harems of Turkey, then carried on in small Turkish vessels in the Black Sea. A Cossack 
coastguard service was organized for the purpose, consisting of fleets of rowboats concealed in the 
creeks and inlets of the Caucasian coast, whence they could pounce out on the slave ships. 




The vessels usually contained from forty to fifty Circassian, Georgian and Mingrelian slave 
girls, lovely creatures selected for the harems of the Sultan and the wealthy Pashas of Con- 
stantinople. The slaves thus captured were given to the Cossacks of the Kuban for wives ; hence 
the sons and daughters of Schamyl's fierce opponents are as much Circassian as Cossack. The 
combination is a "strain" of horsemanship that has produced startling and unique results in the 
form of riders capable of really marvelous feats of a kind never before seen outside of Russia. 
Visitors to the Wild West who have marveled at the skill of the Indians and the Cowboys with 
the bucking mustangs, will marvel anew at the striking performances of these descendants of the 
famous " Mazeppa." 

SOUTH AMERICAN GAUCHOS AT THE "WILD WEST." 

The latest additions to Buffalo Bill's "Wild West" make the sixth delegation to the 
"Congress of the Rough Riders of the World," which Messrs. Cody and Salsbury are organizing 
in order to present the different schools of horsemanship at the Chicago World's Fair. 

Having seen the performances of the Cowboy, the Indian, the Vaquero, and lastly, of the 
Cossacks of the Caucasian line, our appetites are considerably whetted at the prospect of 
seeing how wild life on the South American Pampas contrasts with theirs. 

To the student of human progress, of racial peculiarities, of national characteristics, the 
(iauchos are a subject of investigation as remarkable as anything modern history has to show. 

The Gaucho differs in manyrespects from the other rough riders of the only partially civilized 
sections of the earth. He is the product of a peculiar scheme of existence, and of savage condi- 
tions of life, that obtain in no part of the world save on the boundless Llanos of South America. 

The Gauchos are the descendants of the early Spanish colonizers of the South American 
wilds. The fiery Hispanolian temperament, the infusion of the native Indian blood, together 
with the wild lonely life on the ocean-like pampas, are the conditions responsible for the production 
of the Gauchos. 

The civilization that the Spanish colonists took with them to the Llanos gradually became 
subdued by the savagery of the new situation, until their descendants, the Gauchos, were as wild 
and ferocious as the aborigines, the Indians, They were, forsooth, compelled to adopt in no small 
degree the manners and customs of these latter as a means of subsistence. 

Like the North American Indian, the Cowboy, the Vaquero, the Cossack, and the Prairie 
Scout, now for the first time in history his companion horsemen, the Gaucho is a near approach to 
the mythical centaur. Like them the Gaucho spends the greater portion of his life on horseback, 
and is associated with 
the wild equines of the 
pampas in even a more 
intense degree than any 
of the equestrian races. 

In no other part 
of the world has man 
been so completely de- 
pendent on the horse as 
on the South American 
plains. The pampas 
without horses would be, 
for the uses of man, as 
an ocean without ships 
or boats. Hence this 
Gaucho breed of centaur 
is the natural growth of 
peculiar surroundings. 

As the Gauchos 
are reputed to be the 
most expert lassoers in 
the world, considerable 

interest is manifested in gauchos from south America. 

their arrival, not only by 

the public, but by the Cowboys, Indians, etc. Apart from their wild fantastic personality of dress, 

manner,and equipment, and their horsemanship, the Gauchos will be interesting as the first to 

introduce to the public the use of the "bolas," for the capturing of wild animals. This instrument 




5^ 

of the chase has been adopted by the Gauchos from the South American Indians, who, from time 
immemorial used it for the capture of ostriches, guanacos, and other big game. 

The "bolas" consists of a number of rawhide thongs fastenetl to a central thong, and with an 
iron ball at each of the ends. The Gaucho can hurl this at a flying horse, cow, or ostrich, from a 
distance of sixty feet, and, causing it to inextricably entangle about the legs, bring the victim 
helplessly to the ground. This therefore, rather than the lasso, is his favorite weapon for the chase 
or fighting in war. 

When the Dictator Rosas many years ago conquered Buenos Ayres, his siccess was largely 
due to the terror inspired by the reputation of his horde of Gauchos and Pampa Indians. 

It may be interesting to stale that from their primitive mode of existence, the Gaucho makes 
nearly everything connected with his "outfit," even the rude saddle from raw hide, the lasso, the 
"bolas," and even his boots — which are made from the skin (taken from the knee down, and shaped 
to the leg and foot while warm) of a freshly killed colt, sewed at the toe, thus forming practically 
a leather stocking without heel or sole. They are fond of music, are good dancers, retaining in 
many respects the poetic traditions and tendencies of their ('astilian ancestors. 

Enough has been said here however, of their peculiarities. They will prove a welcome 
acquisition to the "Wild West," for they, no less than the Cossacks, have a distinct role of their own 
to play in this truly gigantic enterprise of a "Congress of the World's Rough Riders." 



FROM ENGLAND to DAKorA. the Rio (jRande, America, to the Continent of Europe 
AND Return of "BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST" to GREAT BRITAIN. 



Since the visit of "Buffalo Bill's" Wild W^st to England and its remarkable engagement in 
London, at West Brompton, in 1887, a history and tour have been made, such as no organization of 
its magnitude and requirements ever accomplished. 

A slight reference to this will be instructive and interestinj,'-, and the practical mind can. 




JUBILEE YEAR, I.S87, 1 .\K). 



U Ri', 



lARKV.T.Ll., 1S93. 



partially, at a glance, recognize the difficulties and arduous duties involved in its completion. A 
volume would be more fitting to relate its travels, its trials, and triumphant experiences. After the 
production in an especially erecte«l mammoth buiklingat Mancliestcr, of an allegorical, pantomimic 




{.'^^~: T"-:t ^"rs":^ .imfri 



)!Ay? THAT IIA'^-'E vt=- nr i 



58 
and scenic representation of the history of American settlement, a return to the United States was 
made in a chartered steamship, Persian Monarch, of 6,000 tons' burden. The arrival of this vessel, 
outside of the company's reception, was an event of future commercial importance to the port of 
New York, from the fact of her being the first passenger ship of her size, draug^'at, and class to 
effect a landing (at Bechtel's Wharf)' directly on the shores of Staten Island, thas demonstrating 
the marine value of some ten miles of seashore of what in a few short years must be a part of the 
Greater New York. 

After a successful summer season at Erastina, S. I., knd New York (originating there, at 
Madison Square Garden, a now much copied style of. Leviathan spectacle) twice crossing the 
Atlantic, visiting respectively Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington — an uninterrupted season 
of 2 years and 7 months, starting at St. Louis, Mo., on the Mississippi River, was finished in con- 
junction with the successful Richmond Exposition on the James River (Virginia). 

The members of the organization returned over the vast continent to their respective locali- 
ties (ranging from Texan Cowboy wwiX Vatji/cro and his southern valley of the Rio Grande, to the 




^a'^ 
^r^^-:^ '- 









'<»% 



33e!fag<.r)d: 



ST, PETER S AND VATICAN, ROME. 



Sioux warrior and his weather beaten foothills of Dakota), to be reunited in the following spring 
on board s. s. Persian Monarch, bound once more across the Atlantic to Havre, and consigned to 
the Cireat Universal Exhibition at Paris. 

Sufficiently large grounds were secured from thirty-two different small tenants, at a great 
expense — two streets being officially authorized to be closed by the municipality so as to condense 
the whole — in Neuilly (close by the Porte des Ternes, the Bois de Boulogne, and within sight of 
the Exposition). Expensive improvements were made, grand stand, scenery, a $25,000 electric 
plant erected, and a beautiful camping ground built. 

The opening occurred before an audience said to have equaled any known in the record of 
Premieres of that brilliant Capitale des Deux Mondes. President Carnot and wife, the Members 
of his Cabinet and families, two American Ministers, Hon. Whitelaw Reid, Hon. Louis Mac- 
Lean, the Diplomatic Corps, Officers of the United States Marines, etc., etc. — a representative 
audience, in fact, of ladies and gentlemen of distinction, known the world over, in society, litera- 
ture, art, professions and commerce, honored the Inauguration by their presence, and launched, 
amidst great enthusiasm, a seven months' engagement of such pronounced success as to place the 
Wild West second only in public interest apparently to the great Exhibition itself. 

After a short tour in the South of France in the fall, a vessel was chartered at Marseilles, 
the Mediterranean crossed to Barcelona — landing the first band of American Indians, with accom- 
panying associates, scouts, cow-boys, Mexican horses of Spanish descent, and wild buffaloes, etc., 



59 
on the very spot where on his return to Spain landed the world's greatest explorer, Christopher 
Columbus. Here the patrons were demonstratively eulogistic, the exhibition seeming to delight 
them greatly, savoring as it did of an addenda to their*national history, recalling, after a lapse of 
400 years, the resplendent glories of Spanish conquests under Ferdinand and Isabella, of the sainted 
hero, Cristobar Colon — 1492, Columbus in America — 1890, "Buffalo Bill" and the native 
American Indian in Spain! 

Recrossing the Mediterranean, via Corsica and Sardinia (encountering a tremendous 
slorm), Naples (the placid waters of whose noble bay gave a welcome refuge) was reached, and 
in the shadow of "Old Vesuvius," which in fact formed a superbly grand scenic background, 
another peg in history was pinned by the visit of the cow-boy and Indian to the various noted' 
localities that here abound; the ruins of Herculaneum, Pompeii, and the great crater of "the 
burning mountain," striking wonder and awe as well as giving geological and geographical knowl- 
edge to the stoical "Red man." 

Then the " famed of the famous cities" of the world, Rome, was next visited, to be con- 
quered through the gentle power of intellectual interest in, and the reciprocal pleasure exchanged 
by, its unusual visitors, the honor being given to "the outfit" as an organization, of attending 
a dazzling fete given in the Vatican by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII and of receiving the exalted 
Pontiff's blessing. The grandeur of the spectacle, the heavenly music, the entrancing singing, and 
impressive adjuncts, produced a most profound impression on the astonished childreTi of the 
Prairie. The Wild West in the Vatican!! 

The company were photographed in the Colosseum, which stately ruin seemed to silently 
ind solemnly regret that its famed ancient arena was too small for this modern exhibition of the 
mimic struggle between that civilization (born and emanating from 'neath its very walls) and a 
primitive people who were ne'er dreamed of in a Rome's world-conquering creators' wildest flights 
of vivid imaginings. 

Strolling through its arena, gazing at its lions' dens, or lolling lazily on its convenient 
ruins, hearing its interpreted history — of Romulus, of Csesar, of Nero — roamed this band of Wild 
West Sioux (a people whose history in barbaric deeds equals, if not excels, the ancient Romans), 
now hand in hand in peace and firmly cemented friendship with the American frontiersmen — once 




COLOSSKU.M, ROM! 



gladiatorial antagonists un the \Vestern Plains. Tliey, listening to the tale on the spot, of those 
whose " Morituri te Salutant" was the short prelude to a savage death, formed a novel picture in 
historic frame! The Wild West in the Colosseum! ! ! 



Ar;!:s:r.c Hazsr.zt, pracicca^ Boicgna, grand and stateiy Milan, and unique Verona were next 
added to the list. Verona's superb and well, preserved "Arena," excelling in superficial area the 
Colosseum and holding 45,000 people, was specially granted for the Wild West's use; and the home 
of Shakespeare's love-lorn heroine placed another picture in the Red man's tour of the native land 
of his discoverer. The Indians were taken by " Buffalo Bill " to picturesque Venice, and there 
shown the marvelous results of the ancient white man's energy and artistic architectural skill. 
'They were immortalized by the Camera in the Ducal Palace, St. Marc's Piazza, and in the strange 
street vehicle of the Adriatic's erstwhile pride — the gondola— contributing another mteresting 
object lesson to the distant juvenile student members of their tribe — to testify more fully to_ their 
puzzled senses, the fact of strange sights and marvels whose existence is to be learned of in the 
breadth of knowledge necessitated by their future existence. 

Moving via Innsbruck through the beautifully scenic Tyrol — the Bavarian capital, Munich, 
with its naturally artistic instincts, gave a grand reception to the beginning of a marvelously suc- 
cessful tour through German-land, which included Vienna (with an excursion on the "Blue Dan- 
ube "), Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, Magdeburg, Hanover, Brunswick, Hamburg, Bremen, Dusseldorf 
Cologne, along the Rhine past Bonn, Coblentz, "Fair Bingen on the Rhine" to Frankfurt, Stutt- 
gart, and Strasburg. These historic cities — with all their wealth of legendary interest, art 
galleries, scientific conservatories, educative edifices, cathedrals, modern palaces, ancient ruins, 
army manoeuvrings, fortifications, commercial and varied manufacturing and agricultural industries, 
and the social, genial, friendly, quiet customs of its peoples — should form good instruction to the 







AKKXA. VKROKA. 



rugged rovers of the American plains — heirs to an empire as much more vast in extent and 
resources, as is the brightness of the diamond, after the skill expended by the lapidary, in dazzling 
brilliancy to the rude unpolished stone before man's industry lends value to its existence. 

At Strasburg the management decided to close temporarily this extriiordinary tour, and 
winter the company. Although in the proximity to points contemplated for a winter campaign 
(Southern France and the Riviera), this was deemed advisable on account of the first and only 
attack from envious humanity that the organization had encountered. This subject will be more 
fully referrt-d to in another chapter, as it necessitated the manly but expensive voluntary pro- 
cedure of taking the Indians to America, to meet face to face and deny the imputations of some 
"ten-cent" villifiers, whom circumstances of petty political "charity," and " I-am-ism," and native 
buoyancy permit at times to float temporarily on the surface of a cosmopolite community, and to 
whose ravings a too credulous public and press give hearing. 

The quaint little village of Benfield furnished an ancient nunnery, and a castle with stables 
and a good ran^e; here the little community of Americans spent the winter comfortably, beuig 



feasted ana teted by the inhabitants, whose esteem they gained to such an extent that their 
departure was marked by a general holiday, assisting hands, and such public demonstrations of 
regret that many a rude cowboy when once again careering o'er the pampas of Texas will rest 
his weary steed while memory reverts back to the pleasant days and whole-souled frienclships 
cemented at the foot of the Vosges mountains in disputed Alsace-Lorraine. 

In Alsace-Lorraine ! whose anomalous position menaces the peace, not only of the two 
countries interested, but of the civilized world; whose situation makes it intensely — even sadly — 
interesting, as the theatre of that future human traged}^ for which the ear of mankind strains 
day and night, listening for detonations from the muzzles of the acme of invented mechanisms 
of destruction. The lurid-garbed angel of devastation hovers, careering through the atmos- 




AFTKR 111 



i;a r 11,1,. — 111 



w ( ) i; M ) 1 



-CAMI'.MdX 



S90-9 1 



phere of the seemingly doomed valley, gaily laughing, shrieking exuitiugly at the while-robed 
angel of Peace, as the latter gloomily wanders — prayerful, tearful — hopelessly hunting, cease- 
lessly seeking the return of modern man's boasted newly created gods : Equity, Justice, 
Reason ! 

What a lield for the vaunted champions of humanity, the leaders of civilization ! What a 
neighborhood wherein to sow the seeds of '■'peace on earth and good will to all men." What a 
crucible for the universal panacea — Arbitration! What a test of the efficacy of prayer in dam- 
ming up the conflicting torrents of Ambition, Cupidity, Passion, and Revenge, which threaten 
to color crimson the swift current of the Rhine, until its renown as the home of wealth and 
luxury be eclipsed by eternal notoriety as the Valley of Death! 

Leaving the temporary colony under the charge of his director partner, Mr. Natk Sals- 
HUKV (whose energy found occupation in attending to the details of the future). Col. Codv, the 
Indians, and your humble servant departed to America, arriving safely, and after refuting satis- 
factorily, by the Indians themselves, the base slanders that emanated in the imagination of 
notoriety-seeking bus3^bodies, proceeded to the seat of the Indian difficulties in the'distant 
State of Dakota. The splendid action of the traveled Indians, and the record of the WildWest's 
representatives on the spot, in the mutual interests of an excusably excited (and, to ascertain 
extent, unintentionally wronged, yet headstrong and misguided) warlike people, and of the gov- 
ernmental authority, as well as of the peaceful solution of a serious situation — has been a matter 
of journalistic comment so recently as to need no reference here. 

After a short, bloody, and mixed campaign, peace was restored, the Government authority 
was secured, and a selected band of Lidians. composed equally of tlve "active friendly," headed 
by Chiefs "Long Wolf," "No Neck," "Yaxktox," "Charley," "Black Heart," and the "band 
of hostages" held by the military under Gen. Nelson A. Miles, at Fort Sheridan, and headed 
by the redoubtable " Short ' Bull," "Kicking Bear," "Lone Bull," "Scatter," and 



"Revenge," were given special permission to come with "Buffalo Bill" for a short European 
lour, and left Philadelphia in the chartered Red Star Steamer, Sivitzerland. The significance of 
this fact should still forever the forked tongue of the human serpents, who without rhyme, truth, 
or reiison, have tried to stain a fair record— which has been justly earned, and by its very prom- 
inence, perhaps, difficult to maintain. 

Coming direct from the snow-capped hills and blood-stained valleys of the Mauvaise Tenc 
of last winter's central point of interest, it cannot be denied that an added chapter to Indian 
historv, and the Wild West's peculiar province of truthfully exliibiting the same, is rendered more 
vahiable to the student of primitive man, and to the ethnologists' acquaintance with the strange 
peoi)le whose grand and once happy empire (plethoric in all its inhabitants needed) has been 
(rightfully or wrongfully) brought thoroughly and efficiently under the control of our civiliza- 
tion, or (possibly more candidly confessed) under the Anglo-Saxon's commercial necessities. It 
occurs to the writer that our boasted civilization has a wonderful adaptability to the good soils, 
the productive portions and the rich mineral lands of the earth, while making snail-like pace 
and intermittent efforts among the frigid haunts of the Esquimaux, the tangled swamps of Africa, 
and the bleak and dreary i-ocks of Patagonia. 

A sentimental view is thus inspired, when long personal association has brought the better 
ciualities of the Indian to one's notice, assisting somewhat to dispel the prejudices engendered 
i)y years of savage brutal wars (conducted with a ferocious vindictiveness foreign to our 
liiethods). The savageness of Indian warfare, born in the victim, and probably intensified by 
the instinctive knowledge of a despairing weakness that renders desperate the fiery spirit of 
expiring resistance, which latter (in another cause) might be held up for courage and tenacity 
as bright as that recorded in the pages dedicated to the heroes of Thermoylre. 

After all, in what land, in what race, nationality, or community can be found the vaunted 
vestal home of assured peace? And where is human nature so perfected that circumstances might 
r.ot awaken the dormant demon of man's innate savageness? 

But then again the practical view of the non-industrious use of nature's cornucopia of 
world-needed resources and the inevitable law of the survival of the fittest^ must "bring the 
flattering unction to the soul" of those — to whom the music of light, work, and progress, is the 
charm, the gauge of existence's worth, and to which the listless must hearken, the indolent 
attend, the weak imbibe strength from — whose ranks the red man must join, and advancing with 
whose steps march cheerily to the tune of honest toil, industrious peace, and placid fireside 
prosperity. 

Passing rapidly through the, to them', marvelous experience of the rail road, and its 
living express train, the sight of towns, villages, cities, over valley, plani, and mountain — to the 
magic floating house (the steamer), sadly learning, 
while struggling with ;//<?/ ^/i? wer, the existence of 
the '-big waters" that tradition alone had bruited 
to incredulous ears, was passed the first portion of 
a tempestuous voyage. Its teachings were of 
value in bringing to the proud spirits of the self- 
reliant Dakotans the terrible power of nature, and 
of the white man's marvelous skill, industry, and 
ability in overcoming the dangers of the deep, the 
reward of patience being found in a beautifully 
smooth ai)proach to land. The Scilly Islands and 
a non-fog encumbered journey up the English Chan- 
nel — unusually bright with sunshine — the grand 
panorama of England's majestic shores — her passing 
fleet of countless examples of all kinds of marine 
architecture, the steaming up the River Scheldt with 
ts dyked banks and beautifully cultivated fields, 
"penetl to the marveling nomad his first edition of 
Aladdin, and landed him, wonderingly surprised at 
the sight of thousands of white men peacefully 
greeting his arrival, in the busy commercial mart of 
Antwerp. 

After introducing the Indians to hotel life for 
the first time, a tour of the city was made, among the notable points visited being the Cathedral, 
which grand edifice aroused their curiosity, the grand picture, Rubens' "Descent from the Cross," 




63 

bringing to the minds of all — white men, 'friendlies,' and "hostiles" — the contributing cause of the 
late regret able campaign — the "Messiah craze" — an interest intensified by the fact that the 
yesthetic-lool<ing "Short Bull," and some of tlie otiiers, had been the leading fanatical believers 
(probably even apparently conscientious), promoters, and disciples of the still mysterious religious 
disease that lately agitated the Indian race in America. In fact, after the death of "Sitting 
Bull," the central figures of this strange belief were "Short Bull" as the religious leader, and 
"Kicking Bear" as the War Chief. Grouped together with "Scatter," "Revenge," and others, 
'n moody contemplation of this subject was the late defier of a mighty nation of 65,000,000 people 
—nearly all of whom teach or preach the truthfulness of the picture's traditions. A man in two 
,hort months transported from the indescribably desolate, almost inaccessible natural fortresses 
3f the Bad Lands [Mai/vaise Tcrre) of Dakota to the ancient city of Antwerp, gazing spell- 
bound on the artistic reproduction, by the renowned artist, of the red man's late dream — "The 
Messiah." Respect for his thoughts and the natural stoical nature of the Indian leaves to 
future opportunity an interesting interrogative of what passed through the mind of the subtle chief. 
Suffice to say that surprise at the white man's many-sided character, and the greatness of his 
•esources in the past and present, was beginning to dawn more and more on the new tourists. 
Arriving the next day at Strasburg — introduction to the cowboys, the camp life, the Cathedral, the 
great clock, the fortifications, etc., was followed by the delight of each brave on receiving his pony, 
and once more with histrusty friend, the horse, theOgallalla and Brule in a fewdays felt as though 
"Richard was himself again." 

Joining more heartily than was expected in the mimic scenes of the "Wild West," soon the 
ordinary routine of daily duties seemed a pleasant diversion. A grand reception in Strasburg, the 
tour resumed to Carlsruhe, Mannheim — including a visit to Heidelberg Castle — Mayence, Wies- 
baden, to Cologne (the Rhine legends of Lurline, etc., giving interest to the Peau Rogue en route), 
Dortmund, Duisburg, Crefeld and Aix-la-Chape!Ie, termniated a tour of Germany filled with the 
most pleasant recollections. The tomb of Charlemagne {Carolo Magtio)! The history of this 
great warrior was interpreted to attentive ears, a lesson being instilled by the relation that after 
all his glory, his battles, triumphs, and conquests in which he defeated the dusky African proto- 
types of the present visitors to his tomb, peace brought him to pursue knowledge, to cultivate the 
arts and sciences, and that after two hundred years of entombment his body was found by Otto, 
the Saxon, sitting erect upon a granite throne, the iron crown upon his head, imperial sceptre in 
right hand, while his left rested on an open volume of Holy Scriptures, the index finger pointed to 
the well-known passage — "What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own 
soul.?". Here by the grave of the founder of Christ-anity stood the latest novitiates to its efforts, 
A'ho may yet, in following its teachings, it is hoped, make such progress through its aid and 
education as to furnish one of their race capable of holding the exalted chieftainship — the 
Presidency of their native land — the Empire of the West. Who can say^ — why not? 

"^ . Belgium — Brussels, its Paris, brings vividly to mind, in its semblance of language, people, 
habits, beauty, wealth, culture and appreciation remembrances of our delightful sojourn in the 
capital of the how-truly-named La Belle France. Visit Waterloo. From Pine Ridge to historic 
Waterloo! Our immense success, courteous treatment, the repeated visits and kindly interest of 
that most amiable lady, the Queen, an enthusiastic horsewoman, her pleasant reference to London 
in the Jubilee: year, combined to increase the gratitude the \\\\6. West Voyagers feel for the treat- 
ment everywhere received in Europe since, in 1887, we invaded "Old England," and pitched our 
tents in the World's Metropolis — London. So, after a short season in Antwerp, our motley cargo 
set sail across the North Sea to make complete our farewell visit to our cousins of the isle, revel in 
a common language (bringing a new pleasure to the ear), hoping to receive a continuance of that 
amicable appreciation of our humble efforts that the past seemed to justify. Landing at Grimsby 
and proceeding to Leeds in Yorkshire we connnenced a provincial tour of Great Britain. The 
reception everywhere accorded us was so hearty in its nature that a sentiment of relationship 
insensibly permeated the Yankee exiles. From Leeds we went to Liverpool the great shipping 
port, thence to Manchester where old friendships were renewed and new ones formed — a notable 
event being, a benefit to nineteen of the Balaclava survivors (who were indigent), resulting in great 
success, not only financially, but from an historic point, because of the participation in our per- 
formance of three generations, the past, present and future English soldier — in the battle scarred 
veterans; the Prince of Wales' Own (Lancers) and the boy cadets of the city. Sheffield with its busy 
factories was next visited and the Indian found a new cause for amazement in the vvwrld's cutlery 
city. Stoke-on-Trent with its marvelous Wedgewood ware works and other inumerable pottery 
industries gave another lesson in Caucasian progress and opened to the Red man new wonders in 
the art of table decoration. Nottingham with its busy lace looms; Leicester of historic interest 



64 



tier challenged the admiration and assisted to 



ant! Birmingham with its mammoth iron planb 
educate the son of the forest. 

Cardiff (Wales) in energy and "git up" is c[uite an American city, havnig increased in popn- 
lation and wealth 55 per cent, ni nine years, remains on our ledger as a banner six days' stand, the 
receipts exceeding ^^10,000 ($50,000), the R. R. stocks rising on the market and one restaurant 
alone feeiling 15,000 extra dinners to the visiting Welshmen. To Bristol the famous West of 
Kngland seaport and thence to Portsmouth- Devonport the great naval military-commercial twin 
cities, combined to render our visit to the South of England profitable and enjoyable. Brighton 
witii its beauty in repose anil its terror in a cyclone will long be remembered as our last stop before 
going to Glasgow (Sc(nland) where the winter was spent m a specially arranged building. Here 
we were made acquainted with the many sturdy virtues of the Scot, where 6,000 orphan children, 
impromptu sang "Yankee Doodle" on the appearance of the starry flag, will ever be remembered 
for the m.iny public and social courtesies extended. 

A return to the scene of our London triumphs brought a renewal of all that M'as pleasant 
and agreeable in our former ex- 
perience, and brought our visit 
to the Old World to a close 



with a bright compliment 
under tl'.e circumstances of 
a Koyal request to exhibit 
before her Most Gracious 
.Majesty the Queen of Eng- 
land and Empress of India; 
who was thus the first aiul 
only potentate on earth to 
view as yet the Wild West in 
conjunction with the Rough 
Kiders of the World. This 
episode has been .so latelv ex- 
ploited in the press as to pre- ' , 
elude more extended com- : 
ment. '5 

Leaving England with 
genuinfe expressions of regre" 
from thousands who witnessed 
that, in presenting our rough pictures of 




our departure, we now cast 
our fortunes, in presenting 
the Wild West and its Coad- 
jutor Congress of Primitive 
Horseman in the metropolis of 
the West— without the Wild. 
Now comes but one regret, 
the absence of ability to fit- 
tingly express the deep sense 
of obligation we feel to every 
nation — every city — visited, 
for the kindness of each and 
allof every rank, every station, 
(ress, public, and officials, for 
the helping hands, fraternal 
interest, courteous treatment, 
and general appreciation 
shown us and our country's 
flag; so that, in returning 
home, we feel bound in duty 
to record the same, believing 
'history almost passed away," we may have done 
some moiety of good in simplifying the work of the historian, the romancer, 
the painter, and the student of the future, and in exemplifying in ourselves 
and experiences the fact that travel is the best educator, and that 
association and acquaintanceship dispel prejudice, create breadth of 
thought, and enhance appreciation of the truism that "one touch of 
nature makes the whole world kin." 




J. M. P.URKK. 



COPYRIGHTED BV 

CODY AND SALSBURY, 

CHICAGO. ILL., 1893. 



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